Successful treatment of paradoxical cerebral herniation by lumbar epidural blood patch placement: technical case report.
OBJECTIVE
Death resulting from paradoxical cerebral herniation after the removal of cerebrospinal fluid from the lumbar cistern in a patient with a large craniectomy defect has recently been described. We report a case of successful treatment of this process by placement of a lumbar epidural blood patch.


METHODS
A 19-year-old man underwent a large craniectomy after a motorcycle-related trauma. He subsequently developed a progressive, large subgaleal fluid collection with very mild ventriculomegaly. A lumbar drain was placed, which resulted in paradoxical cerebral herniation.


METHODS
The patient was placed in the Trendelenberg position, and a lumbar epidural blood patch was placed. The next morning, there was complete resolution of the midline shift and restoration of visible basal cisterns. The patient has made an excellent recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that paradoxical cerebral herniation can be quickly reversed and successfully treated by placement of a lumbar epidural blood patch.
Seinfeld
Joshua
J
Department of Neurosurgery, Denver Health Medical Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80204-4507, USA.
Sawyer
Michael
M
Rabb
Craig H
CH
D000328:Adult; D017217:Blood Patch, Epidural / Q000379:methods*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome