Subdural Hematoma and Postdural Puncture Headache from Intrathecal Pump Placement Resolved with Lumbar Epidural Blood Patch

Intrathecal drug delivery systems are commonly used in the management of chronic pain, cancer pain and neuromuscular disorders with muscle spasticity. The complications associated with in-trathecal pump placement include persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, hygroma, meningitis, and granuloma formation. A severe persistent CSF leak may cause postdural puncture headache along with acute intracranial subdural hematoma, which can be potentially life threatening. Surgical exploration with dural repair is required to treat this severe complication when conservative treatments fail. We present a case report of severe persistent CSF leak after intrathecal pump revision that resulted in a subdural hematoma and postdural puncture headache. In this case, an epidural blood patch was performed using epidural catheter under fluoroscopic guidance to target the site of CSF leak and to avoid damaging the intrathecal catheter. This patient’s headache was resolved and intrathecal catheter remained intact after this blood patch.

Epidural hydroxyethyl starch ameliorating postdural puncture headache after accidental dural puncture

Background:No convincing modalities have been shown to completely prevent postdural puncture headache(PDPH)after accidental dural puncture(ADP)during obstetric epidural procedures.We aimed to evaluate the role of epidural administration of hydroxyethyl starch(HES)in preventing PDPH following ADP,regarding the prophylactic efficacy and side effects.Methods:Between January 2019 and February 2021,patients with a recognized ADP during epidural procedures for labor or cesarean delivery were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the prophylactic strategies for the development of PDPH at a single tertiary hospital.The development of PDPH,severity and duration of headache,adverse events associated with prophylactic strategies,and hospital length of stay postpartum were reported.Results:A total of 105 patients experiencing ADP received a re-sited epidural catheter.For PDPH prophylaxis,46 patients solely received epidural analgesia,25 patients were administered epidural HES on epidural analgesia,and 34 patients received two doses of epidural HES on and after epidural analgesia,respectively.A significant difference was observed in the incidence of PDPH across the groups(epidural analgesia alone,31[67.4%];HES-Epidural analgesia,ten[40.0%];HES-Epidural analgesia-HES,five[14.7%];P<0.001).No neurologic deficits,including paresthesias and motor deficits related to prophylactic strategies,were reported from at least 2 months to up to more than 2 years after delivery.An overall backache rate related to HES administration was 10%.The multivariable regression analysis revealed that the HES-Epidural analgesia-HES strategy was significantly associated with reduced risk of PDPH following ADP(OR=0.030,95%confidence interval:0.006-0.143;P<0.001).Conclusions:The incorporated prophylactic strategy was associated with a great decrease in the risk of PDPH following obstetric ADP.This strategy consisted of re-siting an epidural catheter with continuous epidural analgesia and two doses of epidural HES,respectively,on and after epidural analgesia.The efficacy and safety profiles of this strategy have to be investigated further.

Acupuncture for Postdural Puncture Headache:Report of Two Cases

Post-dural puncture headache （PDPH）, recognized as one of the most frequently observed complications of spinal anesthesia, occurs due to cerebrospinal fluid （CSF） leakage from a defect in the dura mater formed because of a trauma. Generally, the pain is bilateral frontal, retroorbital, or occipital, which radiates toward the neck. Most characteristic feature of PDPH is its postural nature. It aggravates by sitting or standing, whereas it declines or it is completely resolved by lying down. Generally, PDPH occurs within the 72 h after the procedure, and if it＇s untreated, it may last for several weeks.（1）

Epidural analgesia followed by epidural hydroxyethyl starch prevented post-dural puncture headache:Twenty case reports and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND Accidental dural puncture(ADP)and subsequent post-dural puncture headache(PDPH)remain common complications of epidural procedures for obstetric anesthesia and analgesia.No clear consensus exists on the best way to prevent PDPH after ADP.CASE SUMMARY We report our findings in twenty parturients who underwent an incorporated strategy of epidural analgesia followed by epidural hydroxyethyl starch(HES)to prevent PDPH after ADP with a 16-gauge Tuohy needle during epidural procedures.ADP with a 16-gauge Tuohy needle occurred in nine parturients undergoing a cesarean section(CS)and in eleven parturients receiving labor analgesia.An epidural catheter was re-sited at the same or adjacent intervertebral space in all patients.After CS,the epidural catheter was used for postoperative pain relief over a 48-h period.After delivery in eleven cases,epidural infusion was maintained for 24 h.Thereafter,15 mL of 6%HES 130/0.4 was administered via the epidural catheter immediately prior to catheter removal.None of the parturients developed PDPH or neurologic deficits over a follow-up period of at least two months to up to one year postpartum.CONCLUSION An incorporated strategy of epidural analgesia followed by epidural hydroxyethyl starch may have great efficacy in preventing PDPH after ADP.

Bilateral Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block for the Treatment of Post Dural Puncture Headache: A Case Report

Background: Post dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a known and potentially debilitating complication of neuraxial anesthesia that can impede patient recovery. The conventional treatment includes hydration and symptomatic treatment like simple analgesics. Those who have unremitting symptoms following conservative measures are offered an epidural blood patch (EBP). However, EBP, an invasive procedure, is associated with complications in itself. Case: We report a 40-year-old man who experienced PDPH after spinal anesthesia. His symptoms recurred after conservative management was instituted. He was then offered a trans-nasal sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block. He had excellent pain relief and did not require an EBP. Conclusion: SPG blocks can be considered early in the treatment of PDPH together with general supportive measures. However, if pain relief is not achieved, an epidural blood patch should still be considered.

Intrathecal hematoma and sacral radiculitis following repeat epidural blood patch

Postdural puncture headache(PDPH)is an incapacitating complication that can occur following spinal anesthesia and with inadvertent dural puncture during epidural anesthesia.We present a case of a 32-year-old G2 P1 female who was admitted for induction of labor and received epidural catheter placement for analgesia.After an inadvertent dural puncture and development of a PDPH,the patient was offered conservative measures for the first 48 hours without improvement.An epidural blood patch(EBP)was placed achieving only moderate relief.Two days later,a second EBP was performed and the patient developed severe back pain which radiated bilaterally to her buttocks.Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)demonstrated the presence of blood in the intrathecal space.This could be the cause of sacral radiculitis,an uncommon complication of an EBP.This suggests that EBPs could potentially cause neurologic symptoms which may be more common than people previously thought.As complicated outcomes have followed both conservative and aggressive management,MRI can be an early diagnostic tool in such cases and a multidisciplinary approach should be taken.