Intracranial epidural hematoma after spinal anesthesia for cesarean section: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Although subdural hematoma is a rare complication after spinal anesthesia, there have been no reports of an intracranial epidural hematoma after cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. Case presentation A 32-year-old nulliparous woman at the 35th week of a twin pregnancy underwent an emergency cesarean section due to her first contraction. She had no preoperative complications and the spinal anesthesia was uneventful, with 0.5% bupivacaine 12 mg and fentanyl 15 µg from the L3/4 intervertebral space. She complained of headache and nausea 15 min after spinal anesthesia, demonstrating a consciousness disturbance after surgery. Computed tomography 2 h after the cesarean section revealed an intracranial epidural hematoma. She underwent decompressive craniotomy 1 h later. Conclusion This case highlights the possible development of an intracranial epidural hematoma in low-risk obstetric patients.

Keywords

• Intracranial epidural hematoma
• Cesarean section
• Spinal anesthesia