A 15 year-old child with a history of low thoracic level myelomeningocele
presents to the ED with signs of a VP shunt obstruction and is scheduled for
surgical revision. After induction, a urinary catheter is placed and the patient is
prepped and draped for surgery in a sterile fashion. The anesthesiologist notes a
profound decrease in blood pressure and marked increase in peak ventilatory
pressures. What is the most likely cause of this change in condition?
a) Overdose of anesthesia
b) Anaphylaxis
c) Mucus plug in the endotracheal tube
d) Aspiration pneumonitis
e) Autonomic hyperreflexia
Click for Answer
Answer
Answer b. Latex sensitivity is common in these patients, and under anesthesia
hypotension may be the first sign of an anaphylactic reaction. A high level of
suspicion is always warranted. However, the conscientious anesthesiologist
should evaluate and treat for all of the above simultaneously. Overdose of
anesthesia is always possible, as the patient will likely not have sensation below
the umbilicus. A mucous plug or aspiration event may have occurred
(particularly in the setting of vomiting due to VP shunt malfunction) and the ETT
should be suctioned. Autonomic hyperreflexia is more common in patients with
high thoracic spinal cord injury but may occur in those with low thoracic injury; it
is a life-threatening emergency characterized by extreme hypertension following
stimulation below the level of the injury. It is unlikely in this hypotensive
patient.
Notes
- This question originally printed in the Pediatric Anesthesiology Review Topics kindle book series, and appears courtesy of Naerthwyn Press, LLC.
Keywords
<Prev Question --- Next Question>
About Test Your Knowledge