Post Dural Puncture Headache
February 15th, 2021
Overview
Clinical Features
- May occur hours or days after LP
- Headache
- Nausea / vomiting
- Dizziness
Mechanism
- Unknown, but thought to relate to reduced CSF pressure / compensatory venodilatation.
Prevention
- Use an atraumatic needle rather than a cutting (bevelled) needle
- Use the smallest bore needle possible
- Reinsert the stylet prior to removing the needle
Several studies (Straus et al, Spriggs et al) suggest that bed rest post LP has no preventative effect on post-LP headache.
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