Epidural Labor Analgesia and Epidural Surgical Anesthesia in a Patient with Idiopathic Intracranial Pressure with Lumbo-peritoneal Shunt: a rare case report

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) is due to an increased intracranial pressure with no secondary cause of intracranial hypertension and normal Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition. IIH’s prevalence is high among obese women of childbearing age and subsequently coincides with pregnancy. Symptoms vary among patients and commonly present headaches and visual impairment. If untreated, it may steer persistent headaches and lasting visual impairment such as diplopia and scotoma or even blindness. Case Report: We hereby present the uncommon case of an epidural anesthesia for cesarean section in a patient with idiopathic intracranial hypertension and Lumbo-peritoneal shunt that presented to our obstetrics department in labor. First, epidural labor anesthesia (ELA) with a catheter placed above the LP shunt scar was the chosen course of action. However, ELA was converted to an epidural surgical anesthesia (ESA) for acute fetal distress secondary to a placental abruption. Conclusion: IIH usually occurs in pregnant women at any trimester. If undiagnosed or poorly managed, it can lead to drastic complications. As uncommon as it may be, all medical practitioners should be familiar with this pathology even though its diagnostic and treatment are exacting. While the optimal anesthetic management is still controversial, epidural anesthesia proved to be very effective.