Korean J Anesthesiol.  1997 Nov;33(5):997-1000. 10.4097/kjae.1997.33.5.997.

Pneumocephalus after Inadvertent Dural Puncture during Epidural Block: A case report

• Lee BH

• KMID: 2154502
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1997.33.5.997

Abstract

Pneumocephalus is a rare complication of anesthetic procedures involving the epidural space. With the loss of resistance technique using air, air may be injected in through the dural puncture site. Epidural blood patch was performed for the treatment of post-lumbar puncture headache, and 10 minutes after the treatment, 8 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride was injected through epidural catheter. Loss of consciousness and apnea were developed about 8 minutes after injection of local anesthetics. Computerized tomographic brain scan revealed the presence of air within intracranial cavity. Pneumocephalus may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. It generally responds well to conservative management. The patient did not complain of a headache. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the seventh day postpartum with no neurologic sequelae.

Keyword

Anesthetic Technique, epidural; Complication, pneumocephalus

MeSH Terms

Anesthetics, Local
Apnea
Blood Patch, Epidural
Brain
Bupivacaine
Catheters
Epidural Space
Headache
Humans
Pneumocephalus*
Post-Dural Puncture Headache
Postpartum Period
Punctures*
Unconsciousness
Anesthetics, Local
Bupivacaine