Unilateral Horner syndrome and trigeminal palsy after lumbar epidural analgesia during labor

Background: Epidural analgesia is a frequently employed technique for pain management during labour and delivery; yet, it is not devoid of potential dangers.

Case report: The present case report explains a rare and unusual complication of self-limiting unilateral Horner syndrome and trigeminal palsy after Lumbar Epidural analgesia for Normal delivery. A 22-year-old healthy primigravida at 38 weeks gestation, with an unremarkable medical history and prenatal course, was admitted to the hospital in active labor. Epidural anesthesia was administered during the first stage of labor under oxytocin infusion. The procedure was uneventful, with the patient experiencing good pain relief and no motor block. However, approximately 25 minutes after epidural placement, the patient reported left eyelid heaviness, decreased sensation on the left cheek, miosis, ptosis, and redness in the left eye. Neurologic symptoms were limited to this presentation, and the patient's blood pressure dropped briefly but returned to normal with ephedrine. The patient's symptoms resolved after about 3 hours. Later, the epidural catheter was repositioned, and the patient experienced pain relief for a limited time before again developing eye symptoms. Despite stable hemodynamics, the infusion was stopped, and the patient received Entonox for pain relief. Due to a failure to progress, a cesarean delivery was performed, and the patient fully recovered from the epidural block. No further signs or symptoms of Horner's syndrome or trigeminal nerve palsy were observed postoperatively.

Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of recognizing and managing rare neurological complications, such as Horner's syndrome and trigeminal nerve palsy, in the context of epidural anesthesia during labor. While the symptoms observed were transient and resolved postpartum, healthcare providers should remain vigilant and ready to respond to such adverse events, ensuring the safety and well-being of both the mother and the newborn.