Postpartum subdural hygroma after epidural analgesia

Intracranial Subdural Hygroma: A Rare Complication of Failed Neuraxial Anesthesia?

The unintentional puncture of the dura during epidural procedures is a noteworthy and prevalent complication in obstetric patients. Early recognition can be difficult, particularly when attempts at neuraxial anesthesia are unsuccessful. Rare intracranial complications, such as subdural hematomas and subdural hygromas, can occur after dural puncture and they should be suspected in the presence of atypical headaches or other neurological symptoms. We describe a case of a woman who had an unrecognized dural puncture following failed neuraxial anesthesia and later presented with symptoms of intracranial hypotension. Urgent investigation with cranial CT scan revealed two intracranial subdural hygromas. We discuss the diagnosis, follow-up, and successful management of this case with an epidural blood patch. It is crucial to maintain a high level of suspicion for complications after neuraxial anesthesia and to have a low threshold for imaging and investigation to prevent unfavorable or fatal consequences.

Subdural hygroma accompanied by parenchymal and subarachnoid haemorrhage after epidural analgesia in an obstetric patient

BACKGROUND

Anaesthetists need to know the different causes of persistent headache or a change in level of consciousness following epidural analgesia for labour. Failure to recognise these neurological complications can lead to delayed diagnoses, with subsequent serious implications.

METHODS

We present a patient who was re-admitted for postural headache resulting from an unrecognised dural puncture during an epidural for pain relief while in labour. During the interview, the patient confirmed drug use (cocaine), so she was evaluated by a psychiatrist with possible post-partum psychosis or drug withdrawal syndrome. Afterwards, the patient deteriorated neurologically, showing impaired consciousness and seizures.

RESULTS

The cranial computed tomography showed bilateral frontoparietal subdural collections with intraparenchymal and subarachnoid haemorrhaging. She improved by burr hole drainage of subdural hygroma and a blood patch.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurological signs should alert the clinician to the possibility of subdural collection and other possible complications such as sinking of the brain in order not to delay the request for imaging tests for diagnoses and effective treatments.

[Post-dural puncture headache and blood-patch: theoretical and practical approach]

OBJECTIVE

To review the current research and formulate a rational approach to the physiopathology, cause and treatment of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH).

DATA SOURCES

Articles published to December 2011 were obtained through a search of Medline for the MeSh terms "epidural blood-patch" and "post-dural puncture headache".

STUDY SELECTION

Six hundred and eighty-two pertinent studies were included and 200 were analysed.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Resulting of a dural tap after spinal anaesthesia or diagnostic lumbar puncture or as a complication of epidural anaesthesia, PDPH occurs when an excessive leak of cerebrospinal fluid leads to intracranial hypotension associated to a resultant cerebral vasodilatation. Reduction in cerebrospinal fluid volume in upright position may cause traction of the intracranial structure and stretching of vessels. Typically postural, headache may be associated to nausea, photophobia, tinnitus or arm pain and changes in hearing acuity. In severe cases, there may be cranial nerve dysfunction and nerve palsies secondary to traction on those nerves. The Epidural Blood-Patch (EBP) is considered as the "gold standard" in the treatment of PDHP because it induces a prolonged elevation of subarachnoid and epidural pressures, whereas such elevation is transient with saline or dextran. EBP should be performed within 24-48hours of onset of headache; the optimum volume of epidural blood appears to be 15-20mL. Severe complications following EBP are exceptional. The use of echography may be safety puncture. The optimum timing of epidural blood-patch, the resort of repeating procedure if the symptomatology does not disappear, the alternative to the conventional medical treatment need to be determined by future clinical trial.

The diagnosis and treatment of a patient with puerperal infection and subdural hygromas

We describe a patient readmitted after developing a persistent postural headache resulting from an accidental lumbar puncture during labor 10 days earlier. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bifrontal subdural hygromas and diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement. The patient had signs of a puerperal infection, and an epidural patch was performed with dextran 40 instead of blood, after which gradual improvement was noted. The patient was discharged totally asymptomatic 3 days later.