Abstract
Sturge–Weber syndrome consists of facial capillary malformation (port-wine stain)
and abnormal blood vessels in the brain or eye. Seizures, developmental delay and
intracranial and airway angiomata are principal concerns. We report a 28-year-old
primiparous woman at 41 weeks of gestation with Sturge–Weber syndrome who developed unilateral weakness, aphasia,
blurred vision and confusion. Preeclampsia was excluded. Neuroimaging showed left
sided cerebral oedema and a right parieto–occipital lesion, most likely an angioma.
Caesarean section was planned to avoid the risk of angioma rupture during labour.
General anesthesia was avoided due to the haemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and
reports of seizure-related mortality. Despite the possibility of raised intracranial
pressure and precipitation of cerebral herniation, a lumbar epidural block was administered
but failed. A subarachnoid block was successfully performed and a healthy infant delivered.
The choice of anaesthesia was strongly influenced by detailed radiological investigations
and multidisciplinary participation.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 11, 2011
Accepted:
November 27,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
