Lumbar puncture and post-dural puncture headaches: implications for the emergency physician.
Lumbar puncture is a diagnostic procedure commonly performed by emergency physicians. Post-dural puncture headaches occur frequently after this procedure and can be associated with significant morbidity and, occasionally, even death. There is also a lot of variation in how post-dural puncture headaches are treated once they occur. This article seeks to examine the science behind post-dural puncture headaches, their prevention and treatment.
Frank
Robert L
RL
Department of Emergency Medicine, Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Affiliated Residency in Emergency Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA.
D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D051299:Post-Dural Puncture Headache / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation