Unrecognised dural puncture resulting in subdural hygroma and cortical vein thrombosis

Intracranial Subdural Hygroma: A Rare Complication of Failed Neuraxial Anesthesia?

The unintentional puncture of the dura during epidural procedures is a noteworthy and prevalent complication in obstetric patients. Early recognition can be difficult, particularly when attempts at neuraxial anesthesia are unsuccessful. Rare intracranial complications, such as subdural hematomas and subdural hygromas, can occur after dural puncture and they should be suspected in the presence of atypical headaches or other neurological symptoms. We describe a case of a woman who had an unrecognized dural puncture following failed neuraxial anesthesia and later presented with symptoms of intracranial hypotension. Urgent investigation with cranial CT scan revealed two intracranial subdural hygromas. We discuss the diagnosis, follow-up, and successful management of this case with an epidural blood patch. It is crucial to maintain a high level of suspicion for complications after neuraxial anesthesia and to have a low threshold for imaging and investigation to prevent unfavorable or fatal consequences.

Intracranial hypotension as a contributor to isolated cortical vein thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Isolated cortical vein thrombosis (ICVT), a rare type of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), is diagnostically challenging in some cases, and intracranial hypotension (IH) is known to cause CVT.

METHODS

In this study, we reviewed the clinical and imaging characteristics of ICVT in patients with IH caused by spinal cerebrospinal fluid leakage, based on a literature review and investigation of cases from our hospital.

RESULTS

Between January 1, 2007, and November 1, 2019, 735 patients were diagnosed with IH at our hospital; three patients developed ICVT (incidence ~ 0.4%, 3/735), and the literature review yielded an additional 23 cases. Therefore, 26 patients (mean age 35.9 ± 11.4 years old) were included in this study. The most common symptoms were headache (100.0%, 26/26), focal neurological deficits (53.8%, 14/26), and seizure (34.6%, 9/26). The initial headache was orthostatic in 96.2% (25/26) of patients, and 38.5% (10/26) of patients reported a change in the headache pattern following diagnosis of ICVT. Neuroimaging findings associated with ICVT included the cord sign (61.5%, 16/26) and parenchymal brain lesions (46.2%, 12/26), such as intracerebral hemorrhage (30.8%, 8/26), hemorrhagic infarcts (11.5%, 3/26), and localized edema (11.5%, 3/26). The percentage of patients who received anticoagulation and epidural blood patch therapy was similar (69.2% [18/26] vs. 65.4% [17/26]), and most patients recovered completely (92.3%, 24/26).

CONCLUSION

IH should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with ICVT. Knowledge of the relevant clinical and neuroimaging features is important to facilitate early diagnosis for favorable prognosis.

Postpartum cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following obstetric neuraxial blockade: a literature review with analysis of 58 case reports

BACKGROUND

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare complication of pregnancy. It usually presents with a headache and may mimic a post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) in women who receive a neuraxial block.

METHODS

Medline, CINAHL and EMBASE databases were searched to identify postpartum cases of CVST following neuraxial block. The aim was to delineate the characteristics, presentation, investigations, and outcomes of postpartum women who presented with CVST.

RESULTS

Forty-nine articles with 58 case reports were identified. Forty-two women (72.4%) had an epidural attempted whilst 16 women (27.6%) received a spinal anaesthetic. Accidental dural puncture (ADP) was reported in 17 women (40.5%). Headache was the presenting symptom in 57 women (98.3%); 26 women (44.8%) also experienced seizures. Post-dural puncture headache was reported in 46 (79.3%) and an epidural blood patch was performed in 26 women (44.8%). Superior sagittal sinus, transverse sinus, and cortical veins were the most common sites of thrombosis. The median time to diagnosis was 6.5 days from delivery. Magnetic resonance imaging was the most common diagnostic neuro-imaging modality. Full neurological recovery was reported in 48 (82.8%), whilst neurological deficits were reported in six (10.3%) women.

DISCUSSION

The diagnosis of CVST may be overlooked in women who present with headache following neuraxial block. A change in character of headache with loss of postural element, and focal neurological signs are the key clinical features that could help anaesthetists differentiate headache of CVST from PDPH. The high reported rates of ADP and PDPH lend support to their possible association with CVST.

Neuroimaging During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

New onset or exacerbation of preexisting neurologic symptoms during pregnancy often necessitates brain or spinal cord imaging. Magnetic resonance techniques are preferred imaging modalities during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Ionizing radiation with computed tomography and intravenous contrast material with magnetic resonance or computed tomography should be avoided during pregnancy. New onset of headaches in the last trimester or in the postpartum period may indicate cerebrovascular disease or a mass lesion, for which brain imaging is necessary. The continuum of cerebrovascular complications of pregnancy and enlarging lesions may produce neurologic symptoms later in pregnancy and after delivery, necessitating imaging.

Dural venous sinus thrombosis after lumbar puncture in a patient with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is one of the most common causes of papilloedema seen by ophthalmologists and neurologists. Patients with IIH routinely undergo lumbar puncture (LP) for diagnosis. Dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST) is a rare complication of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSF)-lowering procedures such as lumbar puncture and epidural and may be an intracranial complication of IIH.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 29-year-old obese woman was diagnosed with severe idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) after she presented with new-onset headache, pulsatile tinnitus and blurred vision. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and venography (MRV) were normal apart from signs of intracranial hypertension. Lumbar puncture (LP) revealed an opening pressure of 40 cm of water. Due to the severity of the papilloedema and vision loss, she was referred for a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and found to have venous sinus thrombosis involving the superior sagittal sinus on the pre-operative computed tomography (CT) head 5 days after the LP. CT venography (CTV) one day later and MRV 3 days later showed significant worsening as the thrombosis extended into the deep venous system. She was started on therapeutic heparin and her symptoms and vision improved and she did not develop any neurological complications.

CONCLUSIONS

DVST should be considered in IIH patients who have worsening papilloedema or symptoms of intracranial hypertension. Repeat venous imaging can prevent devastating consequences such as venous infarcts of haemorrhage in these patients.

Symptomatic Postoperative Spinal Subdural Extra-Arachnoid Hygromas: Resolution with Conservative Management: A Report of 2 Cases

CASE

Two cases of postoperative spinal subdural extra-arachnoid hygromas were successfully treated with bed rest after patients developed symptoms 4 to 5 days following decompressive lumbar surgery. The development of the hygromas as well as the radiological findings are discussed.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, these comprise the first postoperative cases successfully treated without surgical re-exploration. This demonstrates conservative management may be a safe and effective management choice.

Imaging of Headache in Pregnancy

Pregnant women are most likely to have primary headaches, such as migraine and tension-type headaches, which can be diagnosed and treated without brain imaging. Primary headaches may even start de novo during pregnancy, especially in the first few months. However, when the headache occurs late in pregnancy or in the peripartum period, secondary causes of headaches need to be considered and evaluated by brain and/or vascular imaging, generally using magnetic resonance techniques. There is considerable overlap between the cerebrovascular complications of pregnancy, including preeclampsia/eclampsia, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), and both hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes; although, their imaging may be distinctive. Imaging is necessary to distinguish between arterial and venous pathology causing headache in the peripartum patient, as there can be similar presenting symptoms. Mass lesions, both neoplastic and inflammatory, can enlarge and produce headaches and neurological symptoms late in pregnancy.

Subdural hygroma accompanied by parenchymal and subarachnoid haemorrhage after epidural analgesia in an obstetric patient

BACKGROUND

Anaesthetists need to know the different causes of persistent headache or a change in level of consciousness following epidural analgesia for labour. Failure to recognise these neurological complications can lead to delayed diagnoses, with subsequent serious implications.

METHODS

We present a patient who was re-admitted for postural headache resulting from an unrecognised dural puncture during an epidural for pain relief while in labour. During the interview, the patient confirmed drug use (cocaine), so she was evaluated by a psychiatrist with possible post-partum psychosis or drug withdrawal syndrome. Afterwards, the patient deteriorated neurologically, showing impaired consciousness and seizures.

RESULTS

The cranial computed tomography showed bilateral frontoparietal subdural collections with intraparenchymal and subarachnoid haemorrhaging. She improved by burr hole drainage of subdural hygroma and a blood patch.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurological signs should alert the clinician to the possibility of subdural collection and other possible complications such as sinking of the brain in order not to delay the request for imaging tests for diagnoses and effective treatments.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in post-lumbar puncture intracranial hypotension: case report and review of literature

The spectrum of presentation of intracranial hypotension is clinically perplexing. We report a case of 31-year-old post-partum woman who underwent an uneventful caesarean section under spinal anesthesia. From the second day of surgery she developed postural headache, the headache lost its postural character after few days. She then developed seizures and ataxic hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed features of severe intracranial hypotension in the brain and the spinal cord, and magnetic resonance venography showed cortical vein and partial superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Prothrombotic (etiological) work-up showed Protein C and S deficiency. She responded to anticoagulation therapy and recovered completely. On review of literature two distinct groups could be identified obstetric and non-obstetric. The non-obstetric group included patients who underwent diagnostic lumbar puncture, intrathecal injection of medications and epidural anesthesia for non-obstetric surgeries. Poor outcome and mortality was noted in non-obstetric group, while obstetric group had an excellent recovery.