[A complication of epidural anesthesia: cerebral pneumatocele. A case report]

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris). 1992;21(2):230-2.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Having had a case themselves the authors report a rare complication of epidural anaesthetic, namely pneumocephaly. When it occurs it is usually after a difficult puncture; and usually thought of if headaches are unusually severe of there is a picture of intracranial rise in pressure. Then a tomodensitometry will lead to the diagnosis. Literature shows that it can be a serious condition, sometimes fatal, which means that the case has to be followed up very carefully and tomodensitometry has to be repeated until complete cure has been obtained.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anesthesia, Epidural / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Labor, Induced / methods*
  • Pneumocephalus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pneumocephalus / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed