Subarachnoid hemorrhage and pneumocephalus due to epidural anesthesia

摘要

Epidural analgesia is an extremely effective and popular treatment for pain during labor. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and pneumocephaly is a serious but rare complication of puncture of the dura mater in epidural anesthesia. To best of our knowledge, intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage together with pneumocephaly hasnt been reported as a complication after the lumbar puncture so far. Our purpose is to increase awareness for serious complications such as subarachnoid hemorrhage and pneumocephaly following regional procedures (See Fig.). Our case was a 32-years old woman. The patient presented to emergency department with severe headache 3 days after delivery with epidural anesthesia. On CT scan, pneumocephaly and subarachnoid hemorrhage were detected. Our case was discharged to home on the day 20 after presentation, although there are life-threatening complications related to epidural and/or spinal anesthesia. Clinicians should be aware that serious complications such as pneumocephaly or subarachnoid hemorrhage may present in patients presenting with headache following epidural anesthesia and these patients should be assessed by CT imaging in case of clinical suspicion.