Early epidural blood patch in spontaneous intracranial hypotension

Neurology. 2004 Nov 23;63(10):1950-1. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000144339.34733.e9.

Abstract

Thirty patients with a typical orthostatic headache were treated by early lumbar epidural blood patch (EBP) without previously performing lumbar puncture or identifying a CSF leak and with or without typical MRI changes. A complete cure was obtained in 77% of patients after one (57%) or two (20%) EBPs. Spontaneous intracranial hypotension with typical orthostatic headache can be diagnosed without lumbar puncture and can be cured by early EBP in a majority of patients.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Patch, Epidural* / methods
  • Brain / pathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / complications
  • Intracranial Hypotension / diagnosis
  • Intracranial Hypotension / etiology
  • Intracranial Hypotension / therapy*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nausea / etiology
  • Physical Exertion
  • Recurrence
  • Subdural Effusion / complications
  • Subdural Effusion / diagnosis
  • Subdural Effusion / surgery
  • Subdural Effusion / therapy
  • Thoracic Vertebrae
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vomiting / etiology