spinal headache

spi·nal head·ache

headache, usually frontal or occipital, which follows lumbar puncture; precipitated by patient's sitting or standing, and relieved by lying down; due to leakage of CSF fluid through the puncture site, with resulting reduction in CSF pressure and traction on the dural and cerebral vessels.

Synonym(s): post-lumbar puncture syndrome

spinal headache

a severe headache occurring after spinal anesthesia, lumbar puncture, or epidural anesthesia, caused by a leak of cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space. Severe spinal headache may be accompanied by diminished aural and visual acuity. Treatment usually includes keeping the patient flat in bed to relieve the meningeal irritation, promoting increased fluid intake to increase the intravascular volume and increase the production and volume of cerebrospinal fluid, and administering analgesics to reduce pain. If severe headache persists, an autologous blood patch procedure may be performed. Also called postdural puncture headache. See also epidural blood patch.

spi·nal head·ache

(spī'năl hed'āk)

Headache pain, usually frontal or occipital, following dural puncture; precipitated by sitting up, relieved by lying down; due to leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from subarachnoid space through the site of the puncture.
Synonym(s): post-lumbar puncture syndrome.