Persistent Postdural Puncture Headache

Abstract

Introduction: Headache after dura mater puncture is a complication described together with the first neuraxial anesthesia. It is a complex clinical picture that improves rapidly with adequate therapy, but sometimes persists despite the efforts made by the medical team in charge of treating it.Objective: To describe the clinical evolution of case of postdural puncture headache.Discussion: A case is presented of a patient who, following subarachnoid anesthesia for hallux varus surgery, suffered postdural puncture headache that persisted for more than eighteen days, despite the treatments used, both conservative (pharmacological therapy, hydration, rest) and interventionist (peridural hemopatch and water mattress, with dextran 40). The clinical picture disappeared by itself after the time previously discussed.Conclusions: It is concluded that this clinical picture caused by the dura mater puncture is of rapid resolution if treated appropriately, but there are cases in which, despite the indicated therapy, it may persist for a longer time. Keywords: headache; dural puncture; spinal anesthesia; hemopatch.

Keywords

• cefalea, punción dural, anestesia espinal, parche hemático.