Subdural hematoma as a consequence of labor epidural analgesia

Subdural hematoma (SDH) following labor epidural analgesia is a rare neurological complication. SDH is a late complication of this procedure; it is caused by a leak of cerebrospinal fluid that may damage the vascular structures of the brain. Persistent headache in the days after labor epidural analgesia is a nonspecific clinical symptom caused by hematoma. Preexisting vascular malformations can be a concomitant cause of headache. Clinical cases have been reported even after epidural anesthesia. The differential diagnosis includes unspecified headache, sinusitis headache, drug-induced headache, cortical vein thrombosis, fistula of the dura mater, and bacterial, viral, and aseptic meningitis.