We have previously reviewed several cases60 where
inadvertent intrathecal injection of lumbar regimens for a
thoracic test dose was associated with exaggerated
responses; these include high spinal block, hemodynamic
collapse, and respiratory failure requiring tracheal intubation.61
A common theme among all reports of direct, thoracic,
intrathecal local anesthetic injection is the almost
immediate onset of symptoms of weakness and “difficulty
breathing,” most often in less than a minute.60