A case of pneumocephalus during labor epidural analgesia: A case report.
- Author:
Ju Hyung SON
1
;
Young Seok JEE
;
Young Chul SHIN
;
Hea Jo YOON
;
In Ho LEE
;
Joo Yeon JEON
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Cheil General Hospital and Women Healthcare Center, College of Medicine, Kwandong University, Seoul, Korea. jisaac@naver.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Autologus blood patch;
Epidural anesthesia;
Headache;
Pneumocephalus
- MeSH:
Adult;
Analgesia, Epidural;
Analgesics;
Anesthesia, Epidural;
Brain;
Epidural Space;
Female;
Gestational Age;
Headache;
Humans;
Labor Pain;
Metoclopramide;
Nausea;
Needles;
Oxygen;
Pneumocephalus;
Postpartum Period;
Pregnancy;
Pregnant Women;
Punctures;
Vomiting
- From:Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
2012;7(3):262-265
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Pneumocephalus can be developed after a dural puncture, which occurs in association with epidural procedures. A 37-year-old, gestational age 40 weeks, pregnant woman was admitted for vaginal delivery. She asked for epidural analgesia when she suffers with labor pain. Epidural anesthesia was done at the L3-L4 interspace with the loss of resistance technique, using air. During the identification of the epidural space, an accidental dural puncture was diagnosed by observing a free flow of CSF, through the needle. The patient developed headache 2 hours later. She was treated with hydration, oxygen, analgesics and the autologus blood patch procedure was done, at the L4-L5 interspace. Despite these measures, the patient's symptoms worsened with nausea and vomiting. A brain CT scan showed the presence of pneumocephalus. After 100% oxygen therapy and metoclopramide injection, she was discharged on postpartum 2 days, without any complications.
