Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome a rare cause of post-partum headache: an anesthetic overview / Síndrome de vasoconstrição cerebral reversível, uma causa rara de cefaleia pós-parto: visão da anestesia

Abstract Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is a cerebrovascular disorder leading to multifocal arterial constriction and dilation. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome is possibly caused by transient deregulation of cerebral vascular tone. We report a rare case of a patient with chief complain of postpartum headache, was later diagnosed as a case of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. A young full term primigravida with good uterine contraction admitted to labour room. Later she complained of leaking per vagina and on examination meconium stained liquor was noted. Caesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia was done and intra-operative period was uneventful. Both mother and baby were normal and shifted to postoperative ward and nursery respectively. In postoperative ward, mother complained of severe headache after 1 h and later developed seizure. Midazolam was given intravenously and was intubated and transferred to critical care unit for further investigation and management. Non contrast computerised tomography scan of brain showed right occipital intracerebral as well as subarachnoid bleed. CT angiography showed right vertebral artery narrowing without any other vascular malformation. Patient was managed in critical care unit for 2 days and then extubated and shifted to high dependency ward after a day observation and discharged 3 days later after a full uneventful recovery.

Resumo A síndrome de vasoconstrição cerebral reversível é uma doença cerebrovascular que leva à constrição e dilatação arterial multifocal. A síndrome de vasoconstrição cerebral reversível é possivelmente causada pela desregulação transitória do tônus vascular cerebral. Relatamos um caso raro de uma paciente com queixa principal de cefaleia pós-parto, posteriormente diagnosticada como um caso de síndrome de vasoconstrição cerebral reversível. A jovem primigesta a termo apresentando boa contração uterina foi internada em sala de parto. Mais tarde, a parturiente queixou-se de perda de líquido pela vagina e, ao exame, líquido amniótico manchado foi observado. O parto cesariano sob raquianestesia foi realizado, e não houve intercorrência no período intraoperatório. Tanto a mãe quanto o bebê estavam normais e foram transferidos para a sala de recuperação pós-operatória e berçário, respectivamente. Na sala de recuperação, a mãe queixou-se de forte dor de cabeça após uma hora e depois desenvolveu convulsão. Midazolam foi administrado por via intravenosa, e a paciente foi intubada e transferida para uma unidade de terapia intensiva para posterior investigação e tratamento. A tomografia computadorizada sem contraste do cérebro mostrou hemorragia intracerebral occipital direita e subaracnoide. A angiotomografia mostrou estreitamento da artéria vertebral direita, sem qualquer outra malformação vascular. A paciente foi tratada em unidade de terapia intensiva por dois dias e, em seguida, foi extubada e transferida para a ala de alta dependência onde permaneceu um dia em observação, recebendo alta hospitalar três dias depois, após uma recuperação completa e sem intercorrências.

Post partum headache: a case series

Postpartum headache is the complaint of head, neck, or shoulder pain occurring during the first 6 weeks following delivery. Among the women who underwent neuraxial aneasthesia Post Dural puncture headache is one of the most common presentations. However, physicians should be aware that post Dural puncture headache is not the only cause of postpartum headache. Authors present a series of four cases that had varied presentation of post partum headache with varied diagnosis, the first case was of subdural haematoma where CT scan revealed an acute on chronic SDH. The second case was diagnosed as meningitis and the CSF for culture sensitivity grew Streptococcus Pneumoniae .In our third case of cortical vein  thrombosis , NCCT followed by MR venogram  revealed left transverse venous sinus thrombosis and our last case in the series was of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome where MRI confirmed the findings of typical findings are symmetric edema involving the white matter of the posterior regions of the cerebral hemispheres. The diagnostic dilemma was resolved by neuroimaging because the clinical presentation was not making us reach a satisfactory diagnosis of the cause of headache. Early resort to neuroimaging and multidisciplinary team effort paved way to early diagnosis and appropriate recovery of the patients.

Postpartum spinal subdural hematoma: irrelevant epidural blood patch: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

We report a healthy patient with postpartum headache and neck stiffness which were diagnosed as symptoms of pseudoaneurysm of vertebral artery. She had received a Cesarean section under the spinal anesthesia, and complaint of headache and neck stiffness. Epidural blood patches were done twice, but symptoms persisted. Eight days later, she experienced sensory disturbance and emergent laminectomy was done. When persistent postpartum headache occurs after epidural blood patch, more precise differential diagnosis should be made and considering other possible pathologies.