Cesarean section under general anesthesia for antepartum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: A case report

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: literature review

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS) is a neurovascular condition characterized by a severe sudden-onset headache that may be associated with focal neurological deficits. On imaging, the suggestive finding corresponds to multifocal vasoconstriction of the cerebral arteries, with a spontaneous resolution of approximately 12 weeks. The identification of precipitating factors and diagnosis must be carried out early, so that adequate management is established and the patient has a good prognosis, given the risk of secondary complications and residual neurological deficits. This study consists of a literature review based on the analysis of articles published between 2017 and 2022 in PubMed, SciELO, and ScienceDirect on RCVS, intending to understand the clinical and radiological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with RCVS. The pathophysiology, drug management, and prognosis still lack solid evidence; therefore, further studies on RCVS are needed to expand medical knowledge and avoid underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment of this important condition.

[A case of antepartum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome]

A 35-year-old pregnant woman with mild migraine experienced thunderclap headache at 37 weeks of gestation. Her cerebral MRA showed arterial segmental narrowing of right middle cerebral artery and bilateral posterior cerebral artery. When admitted, she had no sign of eclampsia/preeclampsia. After 4 days, she had premature rupture of the membrane and gave birth by caesarean section. Caesarean section immediately resolved the headache. The postpartum course of the patient and her baby was uneventfull. One month after her onset, her cerebral MRA showed improvement in arterial segmental narrowing of cerebral artery. We diagnosed reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) assoiated with pregnancy. Pregnancy-related RCVS develops primarily during the puerperal period, but our case was a rare case that developed just before delivery and was successful with aggressive intervention. When antepartum RCVS develops, early cesarean section with epidural anesthesia in parallel with active treatment for headache may lead to good outcomes for both mother and child.

Anesthetic Management of Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome During Vaginal Delivery: A Case Report

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a rare group of vascular disorders characterized by severe headache with or without other neurologic symptoms. Pregnancy is known to precipitate RCVS, typically in the postpartum period. With improved recognition of this condition, RCVS is now increasingly identified in the antepartum period. Labor and vaginal delivery are characterized by fluctuations in hemodynamic and intracerebral pressures and present challenges for intrapartum anesthetic management. We report our experience with a patient with RCVS admitted for external cephalic version and subsequent vaginal delivery.

Headaches during pregnancy

Headache during pregnancy is frequent and challenging. A secondary headache is diagnosed in one third of women, and most causes are vascular and infectious disorders. Anamnestic and clinical features must be investigated, and brain imaging is often required. Primary headaches are commonly modified during pregnancy. Migraine is mainly improved in this context, especially migraine without aura. Particular cautions about treatment must be applied, and non-pharmacological measures must be preferred. Tension-type headache and cluster headache seem to be less hormone-dependent.