LESI LESI Complications and Risks

Question 1

Which is the most feared catastrophic complication of transforaminal lumbar ESI?

Accepted Answer

Spinal cord infarction causing paraplegia

Answer

Postdural puncture headache

Answer

Epidural hematoma

Answer

Infection and epidural abscess

Question 2

Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) after ESI is caused by:

Accepted Answer

Inadvertent dural puncture causing CSF leak

Answer

Corticosteroid neurotoxicity

Answer

Epidural hematoma compressing the dura

Answer

Local anesthetic toxicity

Question 3

What is the characteristic feature of postdural puncture headache that distinguishes it from other headaches?

Accepted Answer

Positional — worse when upright, relieved when supine

Answer

Occipital location only

Answer

Associated with fever and neck stiffness

Answer

Unilateral and pulsating with aura

Question 4

An epidural abscess following LESI most commonly presents with which triad of symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Back pain, fever, and neurological deficits

Answer

Nausea, vomiting, and headache

Answer

Hypotension, bradycardia, and confusion

Answer

Leg pain, paresthesia, and urinary retention

Question 5

Intrathecal injection during an intended epidural injection can cause which life-threatening complication?

Accepted Answer

Total spinal anesthesia with respiratory arrest

Answer

Anaphylaxis

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Question 6

What is the approximate risk of inadvertent dural puncture during interlaminar LESI?

Accepted Answer

Less than 0.5%

Answer

1-3%

Answer

5-10%

Answer

15-20%