Temporary trigeminal disorder as a result of pneumocephalus after subarachnoid block

A patient was scheduled for inguinal herniorrhaphy under subarachnoid block. Lumbar puncture was difficult and several attempts were needed before it could be achieved. During the immediate postoperative period, the patient developed paraesthesia and anaesthesia on the right side of the face, mostly in the nose, cheek and upper lip areas. A CT scan showed a small pneumocephalus at the level of the brainstem. The symptoms persisted for approximately 70 min, after which they disappeared.