Lumbar epidural blood patch to treat a large, symptomatic postsurgical cerebrospinal fluid leak of 5 weeks duration in a 3-year-old.
A 3-yr-old with B-cell lymphoma presented with a 5-wk history of 400 mL/day cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which precluded chemotherapy, after placement of an Omaya reservoir and drain. Surgical repair was unsuccessful. Symptoms included irritability, failure to eat and noncommunication. After lumbar epidural blood patch with 7 mL the symptoms resolved immediately, allowing recommencement of chemotherapy. Epidural blood patch should be considered as possible early treatment for CSF leaks.


CONCLUSIONS
An epidural blood patch successfully treated a large cerebrospinal fluid leak of long duration in a 3-yr-old. Considering the distress of such a leak to the patient, staff, and parents, epidural blood patch may be considered as an early treatment option.
Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico. jcsanders@salaud.unm.edu
John C
JC
Sanders
Ronnie
R
Gandhoke
Michele
M
Moro
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017217:Blood Patch, Epidural; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000628:therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents