Epidural blood patch in the treatment of post-lumbar puncture headache.

Post-lumbar puncture headache is a common complication of dural puncture. Treatment of severe cases with an epidural 'blood patch'--injection of 10-20 ml autologous blood into the epidural space at the site of the dural puncture--is an effective and safe method with few and generally mild complications. The method has been used by anesthesiologists for many years with good results, but only rarely by radiologists, neurologists and other specialists who often perform lumbar punctures. The technique of 'blood patching,' its indications, effects, and complications and the epidural blood patch as post-lumbar puncture headache prophylaxis are discussed.