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Post-lumbar puncture headache.
- Source :
-
Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke [Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen] 2012 Apr 17; Vol. 132 (7), pp. 818-21. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Background: Headache is a complication of lumbar puncture that has been known for more than a hundred years. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the incidence and symptoms of, the risk factors for and the treatment of this type of headache.<br />Method: The article is based on a literature search in PubMed for studies on headache after lumbar puncture followed by discretionary selection of publications.<br />Results: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is characterised by the occurrence of a headache with a significant orthostatic component within 5 days of a lumbar puncture. The incidence depends on a number of factors. Younger women with a previous history of headaches appear to be at highest risk. The incidence can be significantly reduced by using a thin lumbar puncture needle with an atraumatic tip. The condition is self-limiting and harmless, but leads to significant morbidity. Caffeine alleviates the symptoms and reduces the course of the illness. When bed rest and caffeine prove ineffective, an epidural blood patch works well for the majority, but there is no consensus on when such treatment should be offered.<br />Interpretation: Headache frequently occurs after lumbar puncture. There is substantial evidence for recommending the use of a thin, atraumatic needle to reduce the incidence. For practical reasons, a needle thinner than 22 G is not suitable for diagnostic lumbar puncture.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Blood Patch, Epidural
Caffeine therapeutic use
Female
Humans
Iatrogenic Disease
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Needles standards
Risk Factors
Needles adverse effects
Post-Dural Puncture Headache diagnosis
Post-Dural Puncture Headache epidemiology
Post-Dural Puncture Headache physiopathology
Post-Dural Puncture Headache therapy
Spinal Puncture adverse effects
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English; Norwegian
- ISSN :
- 0807-7096
- Volume :
- 132
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 22511093
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.11.0832