Intracranial Subdural Hematoma: A Rare Complication Following Spinal Anesthesia for C/S Surgery

Intracranial subdural hematoma is an uncommon complication of spinal dura mater penetration with few reported cases in the medical literature. This condition is initially misdiagnosed as post-dural punction headache, a common occurence, and treated as such after the procedure. The incidence of postoperative complications is relatively low. The most common complication is headache, which typically begins 24-48 hours after dural puncture, varies in place, and subsides within the first 5 days. Approximately one-third of people undergoing dural puncture report headache. Subdural hematoma should be suspected, particularly if there is no change in posture and the headache lasts longer than expected. It has been reported that the incidence of cerebral subdural hematoma after lumbar puncture is about 1:500,000 and 1:1,000.000. This uncommon consequence, which is rarely reported in the medical literature, is a life-threatening illness for which early identification and treatment are crucial.

Keywords: Spinal anesthesia, subdural hematoma, headache, C/S surgery, emergency medicine