Abstract
Introduction
Subdural haematoma (SDH) is rare following spinal anaesthesia and has not been reported previously in an infant. Non-accidental injury is the commonest cause of subdural haematoma in infants.
Methods
We describe two cases of SDH following spinal anaesthesia in infants.
Results
In both cases, forensic investigation was commenced and no evidence of child abuse was found. Both children are well 2 years after diagnosis.
Conclusion
Paediatric health workers should be aware of the possibility of SDH after spinal anaesthesia and consider this as a differential diagnosis when investigating possible non-accidental injury in an infant.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Disma N, Davidson A, de Graaff J, Withington D, Morton N, McCann ME (2014) The GAS study: the postoperative apnea outcome in a RCT comparing spinal and general anesthesia for infant hernia repair: ESAPC1-4. European J Anaesthesiol 31 Suppl. 52:2
Williams RK, Black IH, Howard DB, Adams DC, Mathews DM, Friend AF, Meyers HW (2014) Cognitive outcome after spinal anesthesia and surgery during infancy. Anesth Analg 119:651–660. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000000288
Jayawant S, Parr J (2007) Outcomes following subdural haemorrhage in infancy. Ach Dis Child 92:343–347. doi:10.1136/adc.2005.084988
Adler M, Comi A, Walker A (2001) Acute hemorrhagic complication of diagnostic lumbar puncture. Pediatr Emerg Care 17:184–188
Ghosh PS, Ghosh D (2011) Subdural hematoma in infants without accidental or nonaccidental injury: benign external hydrocephalus, a risk factor. Clin Pediatr 50:897–903
Davies JM, Murphy A, Smith M, O’Sullivan G (2001) Subdural haematoma after dural puncture headache treated with epidural blood patch. Br J Anaesth 86:720–723
Vos PE, de Boer WA, Wurzer JA, van Gijn J (1991) Subdural hematoma after lumbar puncture: two cases report and review of the literature. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 93:127–132
Acharya R, Chabra SS, Ratra M, Sehgal (2001) Cranial subdural hematoma following spinal anaesthesia—a case report with review of the literature. Br J Anaesth 86:893–895. doi:10.1093/bja/86.6.893
Suess O, Stendel R, Baur S, Schilling A, Brock M (2000) Intracranial haemorrhage following lumbar myelography: case report and review of the literature. Neuroradiology 42:211–214. doi:10.1007/s002340050049
Bezov D, Lipton RB, Ashina S (2010) Post-dural puncture headache: part I diagnosis, epidemiology, etiology, and pathophysiology. Headache 50:1144–1152. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01699.x
Compliance with ethical standards
The authors are unaware of any conflicts of interest.
The parents/carers of both infants have given consent for case details to be published.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McDougall, R.J., Barnes, R., Danks, R.A. et al. Subdural haematoma following infant spinal anaesthesia. Childs Nerv Syst 32, 579–581 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2862-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2862-8