Autonomic hyperreflexia after spinal cord injury managed successfully with intravenous lidocaine: a case report

BACKGROUND: Some paraplegic patients may wish undergo some surgical procedures, like urological procedures, without anesthesia. However, these patients can develop autonomic hyperreflexia if cystoscopy is performed without anesthesia. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of severe autonomic hyperreflexia in a 44-year-old male with spinal cord injury at the level of T4 during urologic procedure under sedation and analgesia successfully treated with intravenous lidocaine. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that patients with spinal cord injuries are likely to develop autonomic hyperreflexia during urological procedures performed without anesthesia. Health professionals should educate spinal cord injury patients regarding risks of this serious condition and be aware to prevent and manage autonomic hyperreflexia. In an acute episode, nifedipine, nitrates and captopril are the most commonly used and recommended agents. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of severe autonomic hyperreflexia treated successfully with intravenous lidocaine.