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Spinal puncture headache.

Headache is the commonest complication of spinal puncture. There is no significant difference in the incidence of headache after lumbar puncture, whether or not the puncture is followed by injection of an anesthetic agent. The sequence of events leading to postlumbar puncture headaches is probably (1) decreased volume of cerebrospinal fluid with lowered pressure; (2) increased differential between the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid and the intracranial venous pressure; (3) dilation of venous structures with increase in brain volume; and (4) production of tension on the pain sensitive areas in the cranium. Prevention of postlumbar puncture headache consists largely in attempts to avoid the development of the pressure differential between that of the cerebrospinal fluid and intracranial venous pressure. Treatment consists of analgesics, hydration and attempts to restore normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

Headache↗

EMLA patch for spinal puncture. A comparison of EMLA patch with lignocaine infiltration and placebo patch.

We have prospectively assessed pain and anxiety of spinal puncture in 180 adult patients randomly allocated to one of three equal groups. On the morning of surgery group 1 had an EMLA patch, whereas group 2 and 3 had placebo patches. Group 2 also had infiltration analgesia with 2 ml lignocaine 2% with adrenaline, immediately before the block. Spinal anaesthesia was performed with 25 gauge sharp needles without introducer or 25,27 gauge blunt needles with 20,22 gauge introducers. Patients assessed the spinal puncture pain on a 10-cm visual analogue scale immediately after removal of the needle. Pain scores were significantly lower in group 1 (EMLA), median 0.75, than in group 2 (placebo, infiltration analgesia), median 1.75, and group 3 (placebo), median 1.80, p < 0.0001. Pain intensity was less than expected in more patients in the EMLA group than in the other two groups, p = 0.034. However, the decision to accept/reject spinal anaesthesia in the future was not influenced by the pain of lumbar puncture. We conclude that application of an EMLA patch is a simple and effective method to provide adequate analgesia for spinal puncture, which also helps to allay patients' fears of spinal anaesthesia.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Lumbar myelography with iohexol. Adverse effects compared with spinal puncture.

Since 1983 iohexol has been routinely used for myelography in our hospital and 1,650 myelographies have been performed. The first 331 patients with lumbar myelography were included in a follow-up study. Headache was observed in 26 per cent, nausea in 12 per cent and vertigo in 6 per cent of the patients, a frequency very similar to that observed in an earlier study of side effects following spinal puncture. Severe reactions were not seen. Three patients had radicular symptoms and 3 patients had minor mental symptoms possibly caused by the contrast medium. It is concluded that most side effects are related to the spinal puncture and that iohexol probably can be used with safety in out-patients.

Adolescent↗

Iatrogenic spinal epidermoid tumor. A complication of spinal puncture in an adult.

A case of an intraspinal epidermoid tumor following a lumbar puncture (LP) is described. This tumor developed 5 years after a LP in a man aged 31 years. The majority of epidermoid tumors reported are late complications of spinal puncture during the early neonatal period. To the best of our knowledge, this case is the third oldest patient, whose symptoms presented relatively early after the initial LP. He was successfully treated by surgery. Pathologic diagnosis revealed an epidermoid cyst. The relation between LP and epidermoid tumor and the possible risk factors involved are discussed.

Adult↗

[Iatrogenic spinal epidermoid tumors. A late complication of spinal puncture].

INTRODUCTION. Epidermoid tumors in the spinal canal are rare. Whether congenitally or iatrogenically caused, they form as the result of epidermal cells implanted within the spinal channel. Such implantation can occur during a variety of procedures and events such as bullet wounds, surgery, myelography or punctures for diagnosis, anesthesia or treatment. Although this complication is not discussed in books or journals on anesthesiology, we have found it mentioned in over 100 published cases reporting iatrogenically caused spinal epidermoid tumors. ETIOPATHOGENESIS. Iatrogenic epidermoid tumors of the spine derive from the implantation of epidermal tissue transported inside the spinal canal during lumbar punctures without guidance or with inadequate guidance. There is ample evidence that such tumors are iatrogenic. All cases occur in patients with a history of lumbar puncture. They are rarely associated with congenital anomalies. They are extramedullary. They tend to develop near sites of earlier lumbar puncture, usually near the conus medullaris and the cauda equina. Iatrogenic epidermoid tumors of the spine have been reproduced experimentally in two studies in which autologous skin fragments were implanted in the spinal canal. CLINICAL SIGNS. These tumors are well tolerated by patients for extended periods of time, ranging from 2 to 10 years. At the cauda equinus, tumors can grow slowly for long periods without signs of nerve compression. Symptoms are directly related to tumor size and site. All patients with tumors at the cauda equinus report severe pain radiating toward the roots of compressed nerves. Nuclear magnetic resonance makes it possible to detect the tumor without administration of intrathecal contrast. At present gadolinium-DTPA improves the image so that these tumors can be distinguished from other types. The prognosis for epidermoid tumors of the spine is good, as they are histologically benign. Treatment is always surgical. CONCLUSION. Although the causal relation between epidermoid spinal tumors and lumbar puncture is well documented, anesthesiologists are not sufficiently aware of this possible complication. Between 1977 and 1995, 28 new cases were published. We believe that a deeper understanding of such rare complications will show us how to prevent them while providing appropriate use of epidural and subarachnoid anesthesia.

Epidermal Cyst↗

Combined subarachnoid and subdural spinal hematoma following spinal puncture.

A case of combined subarachnoid and subdural spinal hematomas secondary to lumbar puncture during myelography is described. Contributing factors to this particular syndrome are discussed and the separate clinical syndromes of epidural and subarachnoid spinal hematomas are described. The incidence of all spinal hematomas appears to be increasing, due to the combined factors of spinal trauma and anticoagulant therapy. Spinal hematomas typically present with severe and localized back pain, rapidly progressive myelopathy and a poor prognosis for functional recovery unless immediate decompression is performed.

Female↗