What is subdural anesthesia?
Subdural anesthesia is a relatively frequent complication though seldom recognized. It has a broad spectrum of presentations ranging from an unexpectedly high sensory block with limited motor block, to substantial hemodynamic and respiratory involvement.
Is epidural anesthesia administered in the subdural space?
This is a well known mechanism and a number of case reports are available suggesting subdural placement of intended epidural catheters3,4,6,15,23. An epidural or spinal needle may pierce the dura as well as the arachnoid, such that it lies partly in both the subarachnoid and the subdural spaces.
What is the difference between epidural and local anesthesia?
Back to epidurals and spinals: The main difference is the placement. With an epidural, anesthesia is injected into the epidural space. With a spinal, the anesthesia is injected into the dural sac that contains cerebrospinal fluid. The direct access means that a spinal gives immediate relief.
What artery causes epidural hematoma?
Epidural hematomas (EDHs) classically arise after a blow to the side of the head results in a fracture of the thin temporal bone immediately overlying the middle meningeal artery. The patient may briefly lose consciousness after the initial impact, but he or she quickly awakens; thus, the brain injury was mild.
Where is the epidural space?
The epidural space is the area between the dura mater (a membrane) and the vertebral wall, containing fat and small blood vessels. The space is located just outside the dural sac which surrounds the nerve roots and is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
What is epidural anesthesia used for?
Epidural anesthesia is often used during labor and delivery, and surgery in the pelvis and legs. Epidural and spinal anesthesia are often used when: The procedure or labor is too painful without any pain medicine. The procedure is in the belly, legs, or feet.
How is an epidural anesthesia performed?
Epidural anesthesia involves the insertion of a hollow needle and a small, flexible catheter into the space between the spinal column and outer membrane of the spinal cord (epidural space) in the middle or lower back. The area where the needle will be inserted is numbed with a local anesthetic.
Why is it called epidural?
Epidural administration (from Ancient Greek ἐπί, “on, upon” + dura mater) is a method of medication administration in which a medicine is injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord.
What is the difference between subdural and epidural hematoma?
Epidural and subdural hematomas are produced by ruptures of different blood vessels. Epidural hematomas are usually caused by bleeding from the middle meningeal artery, while subdural hematomas are usually due to bleeding from veins that drain blood away from the surface of the brain.