Anesthetic conduct in cesarean section in a parturient with unruptured intracranial aneurysm.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The anesthetic management of a parturient with unruptured intracranial aneurysm scheduled to undergo cesarean section is interesting, since it has several particularities associated with pregnancy-related physiologic changes that are associated with the risk of aneurismal rupture during the anesthetic procedure. Studies on this subject are rare in the literature and, therefore, the dissemination of those cases is important. CASE REPORT: This is a 31-year old female at term with unruptured intracranial aneurysm scheduled for cesarean section under epidural block. The procedure evolved without maternal or fetal intercurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based recommendations for obstetric anesthesia in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm are lacking. Experimental or clinical data confirming or refuting general anesthesia or regional blocks in this context do not exist. Thus, the decision of which technique should be used is individual, considering the risks and benefits of each procedure and the experience of the anesthesiologist.