QUADRIPLEGIA AFTER INTRATHECAL INJECTION OF METHYLENE BLUE

Abstract

The absence of any case report in the literature on the subject of deleterious effects of methylene blue injected intrathecally prompted us to report this case study as a warning. The only reference¹we have found is a letter by Evans warning against its use. His report dealt with a patient who developed paraplegia and almost completely recovered. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> A 21-year-old woman was in an automobile accident on Aug. 16, 1958. She fell asleep momentarily while driving her automobile, which struck a lamp post. She remained conscious after the accident and was treated as an outpatient for abrasion over the bridge of the nose, hematoma of the right forearm, discoloration of both eyes, and Bennett's fracture of the left thumb. Five days later, she was hospitalized for observation of supposed rhinorrhea. On Aug. 28, spinal fluid examination revealed a total protein level of 38 mg.%, with