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Case Reports
. 2021 Mar;37(3):973-976.
doi: 10.1007/s00381-020-04996-7. Epub 2021 Jan 14.

Low-pressure CSF shunt malfunction without preceding lumbar puncture treated by epidural blood patch: report of 2 cases

Adeline Kim  1   2   3 , Doyle Lim  1   2 , Joseph Piatt  4   5   6
Affiliations
Case Reports

Low-pressure CSF shunt malfunction without preceding lumbar puncture treated by epidural blood patch: report of 2 cases

Adeline Kim et al. Childs Nerv Syst. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Low-pressure CSF shunt malfunction is a poorly understood complication of hydrocephalus affecting patients of all ages. Treatment commonly requires external drainage of CSF to subatmospheric pressures for days to weeks in an intensive care setting. The current communication describes the repurposing of an established therapeutic technique, epidural blood patch, for successful initial management in 2 cases of low-pressure shunt malfunction in the absence of a recognized spinal CSF fistula. This technique may shorten length of stay and obviate potential morbidity in the management of what is otherwise a vexatious clinical problem.

Keywords: Epidural blood patch; Hydrocephalus; Low-pressure CSF shunt malfunction.

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References

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