Post dural puncture headache

WikiDoc Resources for Post dural puncture headache
Articles
Most recent articles on Post dural puncture headache Most cited articles on Post dural puncture headache Review articles on Post dural puncture headache Articles on Post dural puncture headache in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Post dural puncture headache Images of Post dural puncture headache Photos of Post dural puncture headache Podcasts & MP3s on Post dural puncture headache Videos on Post dural puncture headache
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Post dural puncture headache Bandolier on Post dural puncture headache TRIP on Post dural puncture headache
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Post dural puncture headache at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Post dural puncture headache Clinical Trials on Post dural puncture headache at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Post dural puncture headache NICE Guidance on Post dural puncture headache NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Post dural puncture headache CDC on Post dural puncture headache
Books
Books on Post dural puncture headache
News
Post dural puncture headache in the news Be alerted to news on Post dural puncture headache News trends on Post dural puncture headache
Commentary
Blogs on Post dural puncture headache
Definitions
Definitions of Post dural puncture headache
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Post dural puncture headache Discussion groups on Post dural puncture headache Patient Handouts on Post dural puncture headache Directions to Hospitals Treating Post dural puncture headache Risk calculators and risk factors for Post dural puncture headache
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Post dural puncture headache Causes & Risk Factors for Post dural puncture headache Diagnostic studies for Post dural puncture headache Treatment of Post dural puncture headache
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Post dural puncture headache
International
Post dural puncture headache en Espanol Post dural puncture headache en Francais
Business
Post dural puncture headache in the Marketplace Patents on Post dural puncture headache
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Post dural puncture headache

Editor-in-Chief: Santosh Patel M.D., FRCA [1]

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

Overview

Post dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a complication of spinal anesthesia, diagnostic spinal puncture, or epidural anesthesia.

PDPH typically occurs hours to days after puncture and presents with symptoms such as headache and nausea that typically worsen when the patient assumes an upright posture. It is thought to result from a leakage of cerebrospinal fluid into the epidural space. A decreased hydrostatic pressure in the subarachnoid space then leads to traction to the meninges with associated symptoms. The incidence of PDPH is higher with younger patients, complicated or repeated puncture, and use of large diameter needles. Modern, atraumatic needles such as the Sprotte spinal needle leave a smaller perforation and reduce the risk for PDPH.

Some patients require no other treatment than analgesics and bed rest. However, persistent and severe PDPH may require an epidural blood patch. A small amount of the patient's blood is injected into the epidural space near the site of the original puncture; the resulting blood clot then "patches" the meningeal leak. The procedure carries the typical risks of any epidural puncture but is highly effective, and further intervention is rarely necessary.