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Sagittal MRI of lumbar spine.
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The spine surgery service was consulted and obtained an MRI that showed no discernible significant epidural hematoma from L3 down to S1 (Fig 1).
Sagittal view of lumbar spine.. Note Y slice appearance in Fig. 2A.
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A CT scan was ordered and showed a catheter that appeared spliced and coiled within the thecal sac (Fig. 2A and B-3).
Axial CT scan demonstrating double dot finding due to coiled catheter.
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A CT scan was ordered and showed a catheter that appeared spliced and coiled within the thecal sac (Fig. 2A and B-3). Axial view of the CT scan revealed a double dot appearance representing a section through a coiled catheter (Fig. 3).
View of catheter prior to removal.
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On POD 4, the patient was brought to the operating room for removal of the retained lumbar spinal catheter (Fig 4).
Gross examination of catheter after removal from lumbar spine.
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Once the spliced portion of the catheter was released from the rootlet, the remaining Y portion and the contiguous distal aspect of the catheter was removed without difficulty (Fig 5).