Post-dural puncture headache (PDPHA) has been a vexing problem for patients undergoing dural puncture for spinal anaesthesia, as a complication of epidural anaesthesia, and after diagnostic lumbar puncture since Bier reported the first case in 1898. This Chapter discusses the pathophysiology of low-pressure headache resulting from leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the subarachnoid to th...

Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a debilitating side effect of spinal anesthesia, the result of dural puncture and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage with an incidence of 3% to 75% in patient populations. Despite numerous in vitro and in viva studies that have identified predictors associated with PDPH, debate continues on the best technique to reduce CSF leak after dural puncture. The purp...

[This retracts the article on p. 45 in vol. 5, PMID: 22287846.].

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To study reports of abducens nerve palsy following dural puncture procedures and to discuss possible etiologic theories, treatment, and prognosis. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review of peer-reviewed literature. METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted (PubMed, 1950 to September 2011) for cases of sixth cranial nerve palsy following dural puncture procedures. ...

rhythms (for example, by temporary transcutaneous pacing, magnet). • The often-given recommendation of application of the 'current in a fashion that it will not cross the generator ⁄ lead ⁄ chest system' might be of less relevance than currently thought. In our case, repositioning the return electrode away from the apex of the heart did not result in any change of the current necessary to trans...

BACKGROUND Neuraxial analgesia is chosen by almost half of women who give birth in the United States. Unintentional dural puncture is the most common complication of this pain management technique, occurring in 0.4% to 6% of parturients. Severe positional headaches develop acutely in 70% to 80% of these parturients. Acute postdural puncture headaches are well known, but few studies have investi...

Parturients with intracranial lesions are often assumed to have increased intracranial pressure, even in the absence of clinical and radiographic signs. The risk of herniation after an inadvertent dural puncture is frequently cited as a contraindication to neuraxial anesthesia. This article reviews the relevant literature on the use of neuraxial anesthesia in parturients with known intracranial...

Infection is the commonest cause of serious neurologic sequelae of neuraxial anesthesia. The incidence depends on operator skill and patient population. Meningitis, a complication of dural puncture, is usually caused by viridans streptococci. The risk factors are dural puncture during labor, no mask and poor aseptic technique, vaginal infection and bacteremia. Epidural abscess is a complication...

Post-dural puncture headache continues to be a significant cause of morbidity in parturients. Despite being a common complication faced by many anesthesiologists, there is a lack of consensus regarding its management. Many still use traditionally taught treatments such as strict bed rest and aggressive hydration despite lack of evidence for their usage. Few are using newly tested treatments suc...