Autonomic dysreflexia manifested by severe hypertension

Abstract

Background: Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a sudden and exaggerated autonomic response to stimuli in patients with spinal cord injuries or dysfunction above the splanchnic sympathetic outflow (T5-T6). Hypertension is a relatively common manifestation of AD.

Case report: We describe a case of a young man with T4-T6 spinal cord tumor who developed severe hypertension before any other clinical feature of AD, leading to a subsequent clinical evaluation and the correct diagnosis. Treatment with labetalol was only partially successful in controlling the elevated blood pressure. Hypertension resolved immediately after bladder decompression.

Conclusions: AD manifested by severe hypertension is uncommon. Bladder decompression appears to be safe and effective for management of hypertension in patients with AD.