Spinal anesthesia for cesarean section in a patient with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system with progressive or relapsing signs in more than one limb, ending in prolonged periods of disability. There are no guidelines for anesthesia in this uncommon paralyzing disease. This report features a 19-year-old woman with CIDP scheduled for an elective cesarean section who had prolonged recovery of motor function after the administration of spinal anesthesia. Although a partial neural block in both feet persisted for 1 day, we conclude that spinal anesthesia is acceptable for cesarean delivery in CIDP-patients when reasonable precautions have been taken.