[Cesarean section with subsequent craniotomy in the area of the posterior cranial fossa].

We report on a 31-year old pregnant patient with von-Hippel-Lindau syndrome who presented to the emergency room with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. She was found in premature labour with a normal foetus of 29 weeks' gestational age in breech presentation. We discuss an anaesthetic and neurosurgical management during emergent craniotomy and Caesarean section. Caesarean section and posterior fossa craniotomy with resection of an angioblastoma are performed in one setting. Following rapid sequence induction with thiopentone and succinylcholine, anaesthesia is maintained with fentanyl, flunitrazepam and pancuronium; nitrous oxide and volatile anaesthetics are avoided. The advantages of this technique include haemodynamic stability and maintenance of intracranial pressure. Neonatal depression is likely with this technique and requires resuscitative measures. The indications for rapid sequence induction in pregnant patients with raised intracranial pressure at risk for aspiration are discussed. Different options for monitoring during this procedure are described.