Successful use of epidural blood patch for postdural puncture headache following lumbar sympathetic block.
OBJECTIVE
A 21-year-old man was scheduled for a diagnostic lumbar sympathetic block for reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the right lower extremity.


METHODS
The patient experienced paresthesias with possible puncture of a dural sleeve during needle placement under fluoroscopy. After discharge, the patient developed a positional headache, which increased in intensity over 48 hours. An epidural blood patch was subsequently performed.


RESULTS
The patient obtained complete relief from the headache.


CONCLUSIONS
Postdural puncture headache resulting from leakage of cerebrospinal fluid through a punctured dural sleeve may be successfully treated with an epidural blood patch should more conservative treatments fail.
Lehmann
L J
LJ
Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Hacobian
A
A
DeSio
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017217:Blood Patch, Epidural; D004824:Epidural Space; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects*