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Case Reports
. 2023 Jun 16;15(6):e40520.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.40520. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Post Dural Puncture Subdural Hematoma: A Rare Iatrogenic Complication of Neuraxial Anesthesia

Nadia Sultan  1 , Muhammad Shah Miran  1 , David Wooldridge  1 , Mudassar Zia  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Post Dural Puncture Subdural Hematoma: A Rare Iatrogenic Complication of Neuraxial Anesthesia

Nadia Sultan et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Although post-dural puncture headache is a well-known complication of neuraxial anesthesia, subdural hematoma following epidural injection is a rare but potentially under-recognized complication. The following is the case of a young female patient with no significant past medical history who developed a persistent and severe headache following the introduction of epidural anesthesia for labor induction. Imaging demonstrated multiple small subdural hematomas with findings concerning intracranial hypotension. She eventually underwent a blood patch and reported immediate relief from her headache.

Keywords: intracranial hypotension; neuraxial anestehsia; post dural puncture headache; severe headache; subdural hematomas.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. CT head plan coronal view revealing subdural hematoma along the midline falx (white arrow).
CT: computed tomography
Figure 2
Figure 2. MRI GRE sequence shows subdural hematomas in the frontal cortex and midline falx (white arrows).
MRI: magnetic resonance imaging, GRE: gradient recalled echo
Figure 3
Figure 3. MRV, negative for any aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation.
MRV: magnetic resonance venography
Figure 4
Figure 4. Post contrast T1 sequence shows patchy meningeal enhancement (white arrows) indicating intracranial hypotension.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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