Short Communication, J Spine Neurosurg Vol: 5 Issue: 5
Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: A Case Report of Non-targeted Epidural Blood Patch Treatment
| Mummareddy N1*, Morone PJ1, Parish J2, Zuckerman SL1, Dewan MC1 and Cheng JS1 | |
| 1Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine Nashville, TN, USA | |
| 2Department of Neurological Surgery, Carolinas Healthcare System, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA | |
| Corresponding author : Nishit Mummareddy
Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine Nashville, TN, USA Tel: 901-634-3873 E-mail: nishit.mummareddy@vanderbilt.edu |
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| Received: May 27, 2016 Accepted: June 24, 2016 Published: June 30, 2016 | |
| Citation: Mummareddy N, Morone PJ, Parish J, Zuckerman SL, Dewan MC, et al. (2016) Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: A Case Report of Nontargeted Epidural Blood Patch Treatment. J Spine Neurosurg 5:5. doi: 10.4172/2325-9701.1000230 |
Abstract
The rise in the incidence rate of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) has increased the burden on physicians to accurately diagnose and treat patients presenting with SIH. However, conclusive evidence on the efficacy and risks associated with targeted epidural blood patches (EBPs) versus nontargeted ones does not exist. Herein, we describe two patients diagnosed with SIH who were treated with lumbar EBPs rather than with targeted EBPs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. However, both patients were instructed to stay supine for 24 hours after the procedure. Both patients reported drastic improvement of symptoms within two days of the procedure. Furthermore, neither of the patients had any complications associated with the treatment. Based on this evidence, lumbar EBPs followed by rest in the supine position could be an effective and safe solution to SIH patients with CSF leaks in the cervical or thoracic regions of the spine. However, more detailed studies need to be performed for conclusive evidence on this topic.
