title: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension and single entry multi-site epidural blood patch.
abstract: The syndrome of spontaneous intracranial hypotension is often difficult to treat. Unfortunately, cerebrospinal fluid leaks are often numerous and difficult to detect radiologically. Multiple entries to the spinal epidural space, in an effort to alleviate symptoms, are therefore sometimes necessary. This case report details two patients treated successfully with a single lumbar entry point and the administration of a continuous multi-site epidural blood patch via a mobile catheter and their subsequent follow-up. These procedures are based on that first published by Ohtonari et al. in 2012. It is, to our knowledge, the first undertaken in Australasia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Christchurch Public Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Christchurch Public Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Arjun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chandna
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Christchurch Public Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laing
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Christchurch Public Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: MacFarlane
keywords: Epidural blood patch; headache; spontaneous intracranial hypotension