Treatment of post-dural puncture headache with bilateral greater occipital nerve block

Headache. 2010 May;50(5):869-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01656.x. Epub 2010 Mar 26.

Abstract

(Headache 2010;50:869-881) Epidural blood patch is an effective treatment with a low complication rate. It is also an invasive method that can cause permanent neurological sequelae such as early and late back pain, radiculopathy, spinal-subdural hematoma, spinal-epiarachnoid hematoma, intrathecal hematoma, arachnoiditis, and infection. We report a case in which a postdural puncture headache resolved within 2 minutes of a greater occipital nerve block, a minimally invasive and easy procedure with a low complication rate. This case report suggests that a greater occipital nerve block may be a successful alternative treatment for patients with post-dural puncture headache.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anesthesia, Spinal / adverse effects*
  • Dura Mater / injuries*
  • Headache / drug therapy*
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nerve Block / methods*
  • Spinal Puncture / adverse effects*
  • Subdural Effusion / complications*
  • Subdural Effusion / etiology