Headache after lumbar puncture

Also known as Spinal Headache, Lumbar Puncture Headache, Post Lumbar Puncture Headache, and Dural Headache Post Puncture

What are the symptoms?

Within all the people who go to their doctor with headache after lumbar puncture, 98% report having headache, 65% report having nausea, and 65% report having back pain. The symptoms that are highly suggestive of headache after lumbar puncture are headache, pain of the anus, and impotence, although you may still have headache after lumbar puncture without those symptoms. People with headache after lumbar puncture almost always have headache.

What might my doctor prescribe?

Common Tests and Procedures

Patients with headache after lumbar puncture often receive intravenous fluid replacement, complete blood count, hematologic tests, electrolytes panel, glucose measurement, kidney function tests, liver function tests and prothrombin time assay .

Common Medications

The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with headache after lumbar puncture include hydromorphone (dilaudid), caffeine, acetaminophen / butalbital / caffeine, prochlorperazine (compro), midazolam (versed), caffeine-sodium benzoate, caffeine / ergotamine, zidovudine, zolmitriptan (zomig), dexamethasone-tobramycin ophthalmic and betamethasone-clotrimazole topical .

Who is at risk?

Groups of people at highest risk for headache after lumbar puncture include race/ethnicity = other, age 30-44 years and age 15-29 years. On the other hand, age 75+ years, age 1-4 years, and age < 1 years almost never get headache after lumbar puncture.