Late recurrence of postdural puncture headache.
OBJECTIVE
Postdural puncture headache can recur following an epidural blood patch but usually does so within the first week. However, a late recurrence was encountered in a 31-year-old woman with probable lupus vasculitis.


METHODS
The patient underwent a diagnostic lumbar puncture and suffered a postdural puncture headache. She was treated with an epidural blood patch and had complete resolution of her headache. Five weeks later, she suffered a sudden recurrence of an identical headache and underwent a repeat epidural blood patch.


RESULTS
The second headache, like the first, was immediately and completely resolved.


CONCLUSIONS
A review of risk factors for postdural puncture headache and the role of an epidural blood patch suggests a possible explanation for the late recurrence in this case.
Sidebotham
D
D
Department of Anaesthesia, Auckland Hospital, New Zealand.
Willoughby
E
E
Schug
S A
SA
D000328:Adult; D017217:Blood Patch, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D012008:Recurrence; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects*