Isolated cortical vein thrombosis after epidural anesthesia: report of three cases

Int J Neurosci. 2010 Jun;120(6):447-50. doi: 10.3109/00207451003778751.

Abstract

Cerebral venous thrombosis rarely develops after lumbar puncture and spinal anesthesia with accidental dural puncture, however, occurrence of isolated cortical vein thrombosis after epidural anesthesia is extremely rare. We report three cases who developed postural headache and isolated cortical vein thrombosis after epidural anesthesia. We postulate that intracranial hypotension is the cause of compensatory venous dilatation and resultant thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anesthesia, Epidural / adverse effects*
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cerebral Veins* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Thrombosis / complications*
  • Intracranial Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Intracranial Thrombosis / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Post-Dural Puncture Headache / complications
  • Post-Dural Puncture Headache / diagnosis
  • Post-Dural Puncture Headache / pathology
  • Young Adult