Transient radicular pain following spinal anesthesia: review of the literature and report of a case involving 2% lidocaine.

Recent reports of transient radicular irritation following intrathecal administration of 5% lidocaine in 7.5% dextrose, a common drug choice in many obstetric centers, have generated concern that its use for single injection spinal anesthesia can result in transient neurologic toxicity. Accordingly, many have advocated dilution of this anesthetic solution prior to subarachnoid administration. The present report describes a case in which transient neurologic symptoms occurred following intrathecal injection of a solution containing approximately 2% lidocaine. The similarity of the present case to those previously reported implies a common etiology and suggests that risk is not restricted to the use of 5% lidocaine with 7.5% glucose. It underscores the need for carefully controlled prospective evaluation of the factors that affect transient neurologic dysfunction following spinal anesthesia.