Transient Horner syndrome following epidural anesthesia for labor: case report and review of the literature.

UNLABELLED: Epidural anesthesia is a widely used method for pain control during labor; nevertheless, it is not without risks. Horner syndrome is an uncommon related complication. We report a case of transient Horner syndrome following epidural anesthesia and a review of the literature. We discuss the pathophysiologic and contributing factors to this syndrome and its potential complications.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & gynecologists, family physicians.

LEARNING

OBJECTIVES

After completion of this activity, physicians will be able to educate healthcare professionals working on the labor ward to be able to estimate the small incidence of Horner Syndrome following epidural anesthesia administered in labor. This will result in optimal management and will minimize the need for costly and inappropriate diagnostic investigations. The reader will also be able to compare the difference in the incidence of Horner syndrome following epidural anesthesia, as reported in the literature; appraise the clinical presentation, the pathophysiology, and the mechanism of Horner syndrome developing as a complication of regional anesthesia; and analyze the different theories proposed in the reported cases in the literature.