Pediatric Intracranial Hypotension and Post-Dural Puncture Headache

Abstract

Pediatric intracranial hypotension can occur acutely following iatrogenic dural puncture for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, or chronically from cerebrospinal fluid leak. The incidence of intracranial hypotension in children is not fully known. However, many steps can be taken to reduce the risk of a child developing a post-dural puncture headache. Other causes of intracranial hypotension, such as spontaneous intracranial hypotension or CSF fistulas, are rare and with little pediatric data to guide evaluation and management. This manuscript reviews the risk factors, diagnostic evaluations, and treatments for post-dural puncture headache, as well as a limited discussion of spontaneous intracranial hypotension as it may pertain to children and adolescents.