title: [Efficacy of continuous epidural saline infusion in cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia: report of 5 cases].
abstract: We identified the sites of leakage by cisternography in 5 patients with cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia and treated them by continuous epidural infusion with physiological saline solution. The results showed improvement in symptoms in all 5 patients, and lasting favorable results were obtained in 3 of them. Epidural saline infusion is achieved by inserting an epidural catheter that anesthesiologists routinely use, and the procedure and management are both simple. Adverse effects are the same as for ordinary epidural punctures. If the site of the cerebrospinal fluid leak has been specified and the treatment method is understood by the patient, we think that continuous epidural infusion with physiological saline is safe and effective method of treating cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Sendai Tokushukai Hospital, Sendai 981-3131.
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D065634:Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride