Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Subdural haematoma following infant spinal anaesthesia

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Child's Nervous System Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. 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

  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

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Jayawant S, Parr J (2007) Outcomes following subdural haemorrhage in infancy. Ach Dis Child 92:343–347. doi:10.1136/adc.2005.084988

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Adler M, Comi A, Walker A (2001) Acute hemorrhagic complication of diagnostic lumbar puncture. Pediatr Emerg Care 17:184–188

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. 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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. 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

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. 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

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. 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

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. 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

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. 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

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

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

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert J. McDougall.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

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

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2862-8

Keywords

Navigation