Prolonged headache after lumbar puncture. Successful treatment with an epidural blood patch in a 12-year-old boy.
A case is presented of a 12-year-old boy with a post-lumbar puncture headache of 6 weeks duration that was treated successfully with an epidural blood patch. Post-lumbar puncture headache in children is an uncommon event. The incidence can be reduced by using a spinal needle no larger than 22 gauge to minimize the size of the dural puncture and subsequent leak of CSF. When a post-lumbar puncture headache occurs, conservative treatment with bedrest, hydration, analgesics, and psychologic support is usually all that is required. When a post-lumbar puncture headache lasts more than 1 week and other diagnoses have been excluded, an epidural blood patch performed by an experienced physician usually provides prompt and complete relief of symptoms with minimal risk.
Robbins
K B
KB
Department of Pediatrics, Straub Clinic and Hospital, Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.
Prentiss
J E
JE
D001769:Blood; D002648:Child; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000293:injuries*; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural; D008297:Male; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors