Subdural injection of local anesthetics and morphine: a complication of attempted epidural anesthesia.
We have reported a case of unintentional, roentgenographically proven cannulation of the lumbar subdural space. Injection of 13 ml of local anesthetic provided satisfactory anesthesia for cesarean section, and administration of 1 mg of morphine resulted in postcesarean analgesia for 22 hours. Subdural catheterization is a possible explanation for the occasionally irregular course of an apparent "epidural" anesthetic.