| anaesthetic, epidural | An anaesthetic injected into the epidural space surrounding the fluid-filled sac (the dura) around the spine which partially numbs the abdomen and legs. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| analgesia, epidural | The relief of pain without loss of consciousness through the introduction of an analgesic agent into the epidural space of the vertebral canal. It is differentiated from anaesthesia, epidural which refers to the state of insensitivity to sensation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| blood patch, epidural | The injection of autologous blood into the epidural space either as a prophylactic treatment immediately following an epidural puncture or for treatment of headache as a result of an epidural puncture. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vertebral epidural space | Single-layered strong membrane, comparable to and continuous with (at foramen magnum) the meningeal layer of the intracranial dura mater of the brain. It does not (in contrast to the dura mater of brain) adhere to the enveloping bony structures (vertebrae) or their periosteum, being separated from the latter by a considerable space, the vertebral epidural space-a true space containing the internal vertebral venous plexus embedded in a matrix of epidural fat. Synonym: dura mater spinalis, endorrhachis, theca vertebralis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| continuous epidural anaesthesia | Insertion of a catheter into the lumbar or caudal epidural space for the repeated injection of local anaesthetic solutions as a means of prolonging duration of anaesthesia. Synonym: fractional epidural anaesthesia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cranial epidural space | The intracranial dura mater, consisting of two layers: the outer periosteal layer which normally always adheres to the periosteum of the bones of the cranial vault; and the inner meningeal layer which in most places is fused with the outer. The two layers separate to accommodate meningeal vessels and large venous (dural) sinuses. The meningeal layer is also involved in the formation of the various dural folds, such as the falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli and is comparable to and continuous with the dural mater of the spinal cord. The cranial epidural space is then a potential space between the bone and the combined periosteum/periosteal layer of the dura mater realised only pathologically and is neither continuous with or comparable to the vertebral epidural space. Synonym: dura mater cranialis, dura mater encephali, cerebral part of dura mater, cranial epidural space. (05 Mar 2000) |
| haematoma, epidural | Accumulation of blood in the epidural space, due to damage to the middle meningeal artery and producing compression of the dura mater and thus compression of the brain. Unless evacuated, it may result in herniation through the tentorium, and death. (12 Dec 1998) |
| injections, epidural | The injection of drugs, most often analgesics, into the spinal canal without puncturing the dura mater. (12 Dec 1998) |
| epidural | <anatomy> Situated within the spinal canal, on or outside the dura mater (tough membrane surrounding the spinal cord), synonyms are extradural and peridural. (16 Dec 1997) |
| epidural abscess | This is a disorder which is characterised by inflammation and a collection of infected material (pus) in the area between the skull bone and the covering of the brain (meninges). Infection is usually caused by bacteria (Staphylococcus), but may be secondary to a fungal or viral infection. Epidural abscess can occur secondary to a chronic ear or sinus infection, penetrating head injury or mastoiditis. Fever, headache and neurologic symptoms are common. (27 Sep 1997) |
| epidural anaesthesia | Regional anaesthesia produced by injection of local anaesthetic solution into the peridural space. Synonym: peridural anaesthesia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| epidural anaesthetic | An anaesthetic injected into the epidural space surrounding the fluid-filled sac (the dura) around the spine which partially numbs the abdomen and legs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| epidural block | An obstruction in the epidural space; used inaccurately to refer to epidural anaesthesia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| epidural cavity | The space between the walls of the vertebral canal and the dura mater of the spinal cord. Synonym: cavum epidurale, epidural space. (05 Mar 2000) |
| epidural haematoma | A serious type of head injury that is characterised by a collection of blood that lies outside of the dura mater (between the dura mater and the skull). Occurs secondary to major head trauma. The most common location on the skull for this type of injury is over the temple. The temporal bone when fractured can cause a tearing of an epidural blood artery. The progressive accumulation of blood (haematoma) in the epidural space leads to the development of neurologic symptoms and coma. Treatment includes surgical evacuation of the haematoma. (27 Sep 1997) |