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Review
. 2024 Aug;28(8):803-813.
doi: 10.1007/s11916-024-01262-2. Epub 2024 May 22.

Lumbar Puncture Complications: A Review of Current Literature

Alexandra E Reis  1 , Matthew Spano  2 , Cecilia Davis-Hayes  2 , Gayle R Salama  3
Affiliations
Review

Lumbar Puncture Complications: A Review of Current Literature

Alexandra E Reis et al. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This paper reviews the complications of lumbar puncture with a focus on post-dural puncture headache including pathophysiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment.

Recent findings: Recent research has focused on understanding the multifactorial mechanisms of post-dural puncture headache and improving prevention and treatment strategies. Small caliber, pencil-point type needles are encouraged to minimize the risk of post-dural puncture headaches, especially in populations that are at higher risk for complication. While new medications and procedures show promise in small cohorts, conservative medical management and epidural blood patch are still the first and second-line treatments for PDPH. Post-dural puncture headache is the most frequent complication of lumbar puncture. There are both modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors to consider when performing this procedure. Conservative medical management and procedure-based therapies exist for when complications of lumbar puncture arise.

Keywords: Lumbar puncture; Lumbar puncture complications; Post-dural puncture headache; Post-lumbar puncture headache; Spinal tap.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance
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