Treatment of severe low back pain with opioids during pregnancy in a patient with incomplete tetraplegia

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

Abstract

We report a case of severe low back pain during pregnancy in a woman with incomplete tetraplegia due to viral myelitis. The pain was interpreted as a radiculopathy in the presence of multiple herniated discs. Surgical intervention was not indicated and physiotherapy failed; therefore, a symptomatic drug treatment with oral analgesics was initiated. To minimise the total daily opioid dosage and the potential risk of a neonatal withdrawal syndrome due to opioids, the route of administration was changed from oral to epidural. Adequate pain relief was maintained with this regimen until caesarean section was necessary. The neonatal withdrawal symptoms after delivery were mild. Residual pain slowly diminished after delivery and the patient was able to discontinue opioid therapy. The aetiology of low back pain remains unclear and may be multifactorial.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)348-350
Seitenumfang3
FachzeitschriftActa anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
Jahrgang44
Ausgabenummer3
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2000
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

PubMed 10714853

Schlagworte

Schlagwörter

  • Epidural opioids, Low back pain, Neonatal withdrawal syndrome, Pregnancy