Open AccessLumbar Subarachnoid Ethylenediaminetetraacetate Induces Hindlimb Tetanic Contractions in Rats
Author(s) -
Wang Bc,
Li D,
Hiller Jm,
Simon Ej,
Gleb N. Budzilovich,
Hillman De
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
anesthesia and analgesia/anesthesia and analgesia
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.404
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1526-7598
pISSN - 0003-2999
DOI - 10.1213/00000539-199212000-00006
Subject(s) - medicine , hindlimb , anesthesia , subarachnoid space , lumbar , paralysis , saline , anatomy , surgery , cerebrospinal fluid
Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Na2EDTA) has replaced sodium bisulfite as the antioxidant in 2-chloroprocaine, Nesacaine CE. This study was undertaken to determine whether this new formulation has neurotoxic effects when administered in the subarachnoid space. Sprague-Dawley rats receiving subarachnoid injections of 1.5 mM or higher concentrations of Na2EDTA immediately initiated a circling behavior that was followed by the development of tetanic contractions of the hindlimbs lasting for 15-20 min. The tetanic contractions were followed by a brief period of hindlimb paralysis. Pretreatment of rats by subarachnoid injections of 1 mM CaCl2 prevented the development of tetanic contractions and paralysis of the hindlimb. Histologic examination of animals receiving Na2EDTA revealed moderate to severe focal degenerative changes in spinal nerve roots. Control rats receiving subarachnoid injections of normal saline solution did not develop tetanic contraction nor pathological changes on light microscopy. These results suggest that the preservative used in Nesacaine-MPF may be neurotoxic.