Epidural catheter misplacement and knot formation within the hypoaxial musculature of a dog

Abstract

Technical complications associated with the use of epidural catheters account for a significant proportion of failures of this technique. Misplacement and knotting of epidural catheters are complications rarely described in both human and veterinary literature. The method used to identify and confirm the correct position of the catheter in the epidural space plays an important role in preventing such complications. However, some of the techniques commonly used can still lead to an equivocal catheter placement. We report a case where loss of resistance, positive analgesic effect and motor deficits of both hindlimbs masked a misplaced epidural catheter in a dog, with knotting of the catheter occurring when removal was attempted.