Postpartum subdural hygroma after epidural analgesia.

THE formation of cranial subdural hematomas after lumbar puncture is a well-known complication of spinal anesthesia, although rare in young patients. Pathogenesis of this condition has been related to rupture of bridging veins joining the cerebral surface and the dura mater. The precipitating event in these cases is the continuous leakage of cerebrospinal fluid through the dural hole. More unusual is the production of subdural hygromas in the intracranial cavity, which has not yet been described. Our aim is to describe the occurrence of a subdural hygromas complicating inadvertent lumbar puncture and to discuss the problems encountered in their diagnosis and management.