Citation

Menendez C, MacMillan DT, Britt LD. Am. Surg. 2000; 66(8): 756-758.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507-1912, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Southeastern Surgical Congress)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10966035

Abstract

Homer's syndrome, which classically presents as ipsilateral ptosis, meiosis, and facial anhydrosis, may present as a consequence of thoracic epidural analgesia. Pain that limits the patient's ability to maintain adequate pulmonary mechanics may optimally be treated with a thoracic epidural. The importance of recognition of a Horner's syndrome in such a patient is critical in preventing unnecessary anxiety for the patient and potentially embarking on an unnecessary diagnostic workup. The following is a case presentation of a patient who sustained multiple rib fractures in an automobile accident. The patient presented with a Horner's syndrome after a thoracic epidural infusion had begun. This article highlights the importance of early recognition of this benign, transient syndrome and discusses the pathways and potential mechanism of this process.

Language: en