Therapeutic lumbar puncture for headache in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Minimal gain, is it worth the pain?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Headache is disabling and prevalent in idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Therapeutic lumbar punctures may be considered to manage headache. This study evaluated the acute effect of lumbar punctures on headache severity. Additionally, the effect of lumbar puncture pressure on post-lumbar puncture headache was evaluated.

Methods

Active idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients were prospectively recruited to a cohort study, lumbar puncture pressure and papilloedema grade were noted. Headache severity was recorded using a numeric rating scale (NRS) 0-10, pre-lumbar puncture and following lumbar puncture at 1, 4 and 6 hours and daily for 7 days.

Results

Fifty two patients were recruited (mean lumbar puncture opening pressure 32 (28-37 cmCSF). At any poi

SUBMITTER: Yiangou A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6376596 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature