Rare Complication of Epidural Analgesia: Subcutaneous Cervical Emphysema

Abstract

As the demand for "painless labor" increases, lumbar epidural analgesia is increasingly being used in labor. It is generally a safe procedure; however, some rare cases of complications like subcutaneous cervical emphysema have been reported. Most common differential diagnosis is from postdural puncture headache (PDPH), definite diagnosis of which can be done with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present a case of 34-year-old primigravida who went for epidural analgesia, underwent uneventful vaginal delivery. However, she had severe neck and shoulder pain postdelivery, which did not respond to regular treatment. After CT and MRI, diagnosis of subcutaneous cervical emphysema could be established, and after treating it, she settled down and was discharged.