Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Following Spinal Anaesthesia in Pregnant Women: A Rare Occurrence

Abstract

With the increasing trend of caesarean delivery, spinal anaesthesia is the most common anaesthetic procedure performed today. The most common complication following this procedure is post spinal headache. However, more dreadful and devastating complication like Subarachnoid Haemorrhage can occur and should be considered in case of persistent headache. We present a case of Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH) following spinal anaesthesia in a woman who underwent full-term caesarean section. Post spinal anaesthesia, she had continuous headache and vomiting. On fourth postoperative day, headache was aggravated and imaging studies revealed subarachnoid haemorrhage with intraventricular bleeding. This article discusses the consideration of SAH following dural puncture, its differential diagnosis and management. Post spinal headache should always be evaluated properly taking into consideration the various differential diagnosis of postoperative headache. Dreadful complication like SAH should be timely diagnosed and treated for better outcome.

Keywords

• intraventricular haemorrhage
• pregnancy
• spinal headache