Post epidural puncture delirium resulting from pneumocephalus: An uncommon presenation

Abstract

A 50-year-old female came with a history of chronic lower back pain radiating to right leg for which she received an epidural steroid injection. Two hours later, she was found to in a delirious state with bilateral ptosis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was suggestive of ventricular pneumocephalus in frontal and temporal horns of right lateral ventricles. She was managed conservatively with oxygen inhalation. Patient’s sensorium improved after 72 h.

Keywords

Epidural - magnetic resonance imaging - ventricular pneumocephalus

INTRODUCTION

Epidural steroid injections are frequently employed in the management of degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine including radiculopathy.[1] Despite a known low morbidity, significant complications can occur. Recently, we came across a case where the patient developed delirium and ptosis following an epidural steroid injection

CASE REPORT

The 50-year-old female came with a history of lower backache radiating to the lateral aspect of the right thigh for last 2 years. For last 2 months, she was unable to walk more than 10 steps due to aggravating back pain with each step. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbosacral spine showed degenerative changes with annular tear from second to fifth intervertebral space.

A lumbar epidural was performed with the patient in right lateral decubitus with thighs flexed, and neck flexed forward. The L4–L5 interspace was identified clinically. A 20-gauge quincke needle was inserted via a midline approach. The epidural space was reached via the loss-of-resistance technique. Aspiration was negative for cerebrospinal fluid or haematologic products. Epidural triamcinolone acetonide and bupivacaine 4 ml were injected along with 6 ml distilled water in L4–L5 disc space. Two hours later, patient became delirious with bilateral ptosis. Patient was uncooperative for a thorough evaluation of pupils, fundus and eye movements. In view of the temporal relation of the symptoms to the epidural injection, an iatrogenic cause was suspected. However, a preexisting unrecognised intracranial lesion was also under considerations. The MRI-brain imaging including gradient recalled echo (GRE) sequencing was requested. Her laboratory parameters including serum electrolytes, complete haemogram, urine routine microscopy, electrocardiogram and chest X-ray were within normal limits. Patients’ haemodynamic and oxygen saturation remained stable throughout her hospital stay.

Magnetic resonance imaging-brain done 3 h after the procedure showed mild ballooning of frontal and temporal horns of the right lateral ventricles on T1-weighted images [Figure 1]. T2-weighted images showed well-circumscribed hypointensities in frontal horns of both lateral ventricles more prominent on the right [Figure 2]. Diffusion weighted images and fluid attenuation inversion recovery sequences were normal ruling out any acute inflammatory or ischaemic lesion. Magnetisation transfer ratio images showed similar hypointensities as on T2-weighted [Figure 3]. Abnormalities on GRE images were striking and unexpected showing multiple hypointensities (so called “blooming”) in bilateral frontal horns on lateral ventricle more prominent on the right, temporal horn of right ventricle with mild effacement of anterior perimesencephalic cistern on the right side. After neuroradiological discussion, MRI-brain was interpreted as ventricular as well as parenchymal pneumocephalus.

Figure 1: T1-weighted image showed no abnormality

Figure 2: T2-weighted image showing intraventricular hypointensity in frontal horn of right ventricle

Figure 3: Susceptibility weighted imaging showing blooming

Patient was treated conservatively with oxygen inhalation at the rate of 10 L/min with a polymask. Gradually the patient recovered from her delirium and the ptosis has also disappeared over the next 72 h. A repeat MRI-brain done 6 days after the ictus showed complete radiological resolution [Figure 4].

Figure 4: Susceptibility weighted imaging after 6 days showing complete resolution

DISCUSSION

Epidural injections are not free of complications. In literature, aseptic meningitis, arachnoiditis, and bacterial meningitis and conus medullaris syndrome have been reported.[2] Pneumocephalus is an uncommon complication after epidural injection. Various authors have previously described pneumocephalus following an epidural puncture.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] However, unlike our case, headache has been reported as a prominent symptom in all the cases. Also, delirium as a presenting symptom of pneumocephalus is uncommon. The only similar case report from India was by Sweni et al.[6] However, the patient described by Sweni et al., developed pneumocephalus following a cervical puncture and air travel that was not the case in our patient. Brar et al. have highlighted the value of GRE sequence in the diagnosis of air in brain parenchyma or ventricles. This is corroborated in our case as intraparenchymal air was missed in other sequences. Besides, we would like to stress that the so called blooming in GRE does not necessarily mean blood or calcium as we learned from this case.[11]

Pneumocephalus may result from accidental dural puncture and develops from the injection of air into subdural or subarachnoid space followed by cranial migration.[12] Air introduced into the subdural space is painful and reaches the ventricles rapidly, because of its low pressure and diminished capacitance. The appearance of other symptoms, such as signs focal neurologic deficits including cranial nerve palsies may develop depending on the spread and extent of intracranial air.[13] This may explain development of ptosis in our case.

The presence of pneumocephalus should be considered in any unexplained neurological presentation especially if GRE sequence in MRI shows blooming.

It is well-known that air in the magnetic field has very low magnetic susceptibility and can cause signal loss on MRI, especially on GRE sequence. As in our case patient, this loss of signal can be used to diagnose the presence of subtle intracranial air that is prominently seen on T2-weighted GRE images. The symptoms of pneumocephalus following an epidural injection can be diverse and hence a high degree of suspicion is essential for further work up.

Pneumocephalus has a tendency to resolve spontaneously, and usually it is absorbed after a few days. However, high inspired oxygen concentration can hasten its absorption. Increasing the inspired oxygen reduces the partial pressure of nitrogen in the blood, and by creating a greater concentration gradient for nitrogen, it fastens the intracranial air collection to diffuse into the blood stream.[14]

CONCLUSION

This is a MRI documented case of postepidural puncture intraventricular and intraparenchymal pneumocephalus presenting with delirium as a prominent symptom. Our case highlights the importance of high index of suspicion for such complications.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

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