[Early subdural haematoma as the first symptom of intracranial hypotension syndrome: results from magnetic resonance imaging].

INTRODUCTION: Subdural haematoma associated to intracranial hypotension syndrome (IHS) is an infrequent complication. Its sudden early appearance in this female patient allowed us to diagnose and treat the syndrome at an early stage of development.

CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 29-year-old patient who had a caesarean with spinal anaesthesia and, 48 hours afterwards, presented IHS accompanied by focal neurological symptoms as a consequence of a subdural haematoma. Performing an emergency computerised tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 14 hours allowed early diagnosis and treatment to be established.

CONCLUSIONS: MRI is essential to confirm the clinical suspicion of IHS and thus avoid the need to submit the patient to invasive tests. In this way, treatment for the IHS can be initiated at an early stage and the subdural haematoma can be resolved without the need for surgical drainage.