Subdural haematoma. A rare but life-threatening complication after spinal anaesthesia.
A 70-year-old patient developed severe headache after spinal anaesthesia. He was treated with an epidural autologous blood patch with only temporary relief. Three weeks after the spinal anaesthesia, the headache became more intense and was accompanied by nausea and vomiting. A second epidural blood patch was performed without effect. The patient became unconscious and an acute CT scan revealed a large subdural haematoma. This was immediately evacuated and the patient made a good recovery. This case demonstrates that subdural haematoma should be considered as a possible aetiology in severe postspinal headache.
D000368:Aged; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology*; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male