title: The diagnosis and treatment of a patient with puerperal infection and subdural hygromas.
abstract: We describe a patient readmitted after developing a persistent postural headache resulting from an accidental lumbar puncture during labor 10 days earlier. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bifrontal subdural hygromas and diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement. The patient had signs of a puerperal infection, and an epidural patch was performed with dextran 40 instead of blood, after which gradual improvement was noted. The patient was discharged totally asymptomatic 3 days later.
authors.affiliation: Departments of *Anesthesiology and †Neurology, Girona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Natàlia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aragonès
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arxer
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vieito
authors.forename: Josefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ros
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villalonga
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ustrell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects; D017217:Blood Patch, Epidural; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011645:Puerperal Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects; D013353:Subdural Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*