We report a case of a purely epidural capillary hemangioma of the thoracic spine with foraminal extension. Epidural hemangiomas are rare; only a few cases of dumbbell-shaped ones have been reported, and all were cavernous. MR imaging showed characteristic findings of a capillary hemangioma, which are also consistent with other epidural lesions such as neuromas or meningiomas.

BACKGROUND Epidural anaesthesia is used extensively for cardiothoracic and vascular surgery in some centres, but not in others, with argument over the safety of the technique in patients who are usually extensively anticoagulated before, during, and after surgery. The principle concern is bleeding in the epidural space, leading to transient or persistent neurological problems. METHODS We perf...

Abstract Objective: To evaluate and compare the analgesic effects of caudal epidural administration of lidocaine (LIDO), caudal laser radiation and epidural lidocaine plus laser radiation in horses. Study design: A blinded, randomized, prospective, experimental cross-over study. Animals: Five healthy horses, 15.7 +/- 4.9 years of age, weighing 240 +/- 37 kg. Methods: The...

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis has been linked to intestinal barrier dysfunction and systemic inflammatory response with high mortality. Thoracic epidural analgesia improves intestinal perfusion. The authors hypothesized that thoracic epidural analgesia influences microcirculation injury, inflammatory response, and outcome of acute pancreatitis in rats. METHODS Control groups underwent a sham ...

BACKGROUND There are no data on lower urinary tract function during postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). Because selected segmental blockade can be achieved with epidural analgesia, we hypothesized that lower urinary tract function remains unchanged during TEA within segments T4-T11 after open renal surgery. METHODS In a prospective, open, observational, follow-up study, 13 male p...

To elucidate the mechanism and site of action of pentazocine-induced sympathetic stimulation, plasma catecholamines were measured after intravenous pentazodne 1.2 mg/kg in 20 patients with epidural blockade extending to different levels. In patients with low epidural blockade (below T8) total plasma catecholamines increased during the 20-minute observation period to a ma;imnm of about 40% 5 min...

BACKGROUND We observed an increased rate of pulmonary complications (hypoxemia, pulmonary edema, re-intubation) in some patients after posterior spinal fusion, though standardized intraoperative volume regimens for major surgery were used. Therefore, we focused on the effects of two different standardized fluid regimens (liberal vs. conventional) as well as on two different types of postoperati...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study is to determine the ideal concentration of morphine when given with bupivacaine as a continuous high thoracic epidural infusion for postthoracotomy pain. METHODS In a prospective study, 60 patients scheduled for thoracic surgery received a high thoracic epidural catheter. Postoperative analgesia was provided by a continuous epidural infusion ...