Extradural air as a cause of paraplegia following lumbar analgesia

Abstract

A 52-year-old woman with chronic back pain presented for lumbar extradural analgesia. The 'loss of resistance to air' technique was used to locate the extradural space. Prolonged paraesthesia and paresis of left leg occurred following the procedure. Urgent lumbar computed tomography scan revealed nerve root displacement due to extradural air.