Catastrophe Disguised as a Complication After Epiduroscopy-A Case Study

Background: Epiduroscopy is a minimally invasive technique that enables diagnosis and treatment within the epiduralspace with direct vision. Previously reported complications of this technique have been mostly mild neurologicalcomplications of a transitory nature. In the present case, we describe a serious complicationfollowing an epiduroscopy, resulting in death.Case Report: The patient was a 39-year-old woman with lower back and lower limb pain who had undergone 3 surgicalinterventions previously on the lumbar spine. Only limited results from conservative and interventionaltreatment had been observed. She underwent an epiduroscopy in the Pain Management Unit. Immediatelyafter the procedure, which was completed without incident, the patient presented neurological symptomswith areflexic paraplegia and a loss of sensation in the lower limbs and the upper left limb. Imaging testsidentified signs of craniospinal hypotension that progressed slowly despite medical intervention. Ventriculardilation and cerebral edema without remission occurred, which ultimately caused the patient’s death 2months after admission to the intensive care unit.Conclusion: Epiduroscopy has the potential to present adverse effects and complications. A thorough evaluation ofthe clinical history and the imaging tests are advisableKey words: Complications, epiduroscopy, low back pain, spinal cord, spinal endoscopy