Post-lumbar puncture headache

Revision as of 17:51, 20 October 2014 by Rossdonaldson1 (talk | contribs)

Background

  • 10-36% of pts develop HA within 24-48hrs post-LP
  • Also known as "Postdural Puncture Headaches"

Clinical Features

  1. Worsening with upright position and relief with recumbency

Differential Diagnosis

Headache

Common

Killers

Maimers

Others

Aseptic Meningitis

Treatment

  1. Simple analgesics
  2. IV fluids
  3. IV caffeine[1]
    1. 500mg (in 1 L of NS) over 1 hour, followed by 1 L of NS x 1 hour
    2. Give second dose in 4 hours if pain persists
  4. Blood patch if above fails

Prevention

  1. Minimize risk by:
    1. Orienting needle bevel parallel to longitudinal fibers of dura
    2. Using smaller-bore needles
    3. Using atraumatic needles
  2. Recumbency and bedrest NOT effective

Source

Tintinalli

  1. Yücel A, Ozyalçin S, Talu GK, et al. Intravenous administration of caffeine sodium benzoate for postdural puncture headache. Reg Anesth Pain Med 1999; 24:51.