Part C: Application 1. Women giving birth are often given an anesthetic medicati

Question

Part C: Application 1. Women giving birth are often given an anesthetic medication into the epidural space (epidural anesthesia). Occasionally this procedure causes a tear in the dura mater. What do you think might happen if this occurs? What is the possible risk to the woman? 2. Sometimes the spinal cord can be damaged in an accident. Depending on the location and severity of the injury paralysis may occur. Define the following: Monoplegia: Paraplegia: Hemiplegia: Quadriplegia: 3. A patient has a suspected case of meningitis. The physician orders a spinal tap so that he can make a diagnosis. a. What is meningitis? b. What is a spinal tap? c. Why does the physician order a test in the spine to diagnosis a problem in the head? d. List the structures that the needle will pierce as he does this test, from superficial to deep 102 Anatomy and Physiology | Laboratory Manual

Explanation / Answer

1) During childbirth, woman is given epidural anaesthesia to relieve pain. Epidural injection is administered into the region surrounding the spinal cord, known as epidural space.
The brain and spinal cord is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid. Sometimes, the needle accidently pierce in dura creating a hole in it, causing leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.  
The risks involved may include - If large amount of CSF leaks out of dura, the pressure reduces in rest of the fluid of brain. This leads to typical headache. The headache worsens on sitting or standing, as it reduces pressure around the brain.
The hole fills up in number of weeks but still it should not be avoided. As brain is surrounded by CSF which provides cushioning. If headache is left untreated, as cushioning is not provided, it may cause bleeding into or around brain, or may even cause seizures.

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