Syringomyelia revealed after epidural anaesthesia.

Neurological symptoms after epidural anaesthesia suggest complications due to anaesthetic procedure. We report the case of a child who underwent perin eal surgery in a gynaecological position under general and epidural anaesth esia, who experienced the day after surgery hypoesthesia of the whole left lower limb without any motor deficit, Magnetic resonance imaging excluded s pinal compression, but revealed syringomyelic cavity extending from T9 to T 11. Electromyogram evaluation was normal. Clinical signs completely vanishe d within 24 hours. This case emphasizes that the apparition of neurological signs after central nerve blocks is not only a complication of regional an aesthesia, but may reveal unknown neuropathy or result from surgical positi on or surgical procedure. Meticulous neurological examination, magnetic res onance imaging and electromyogram are immediately required. (C) 2000 Editio ns scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.