Cervical epidural blood patch treatment is a choice for spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

BACKGROUND

Epidural blood patch (EBP) is a minimally invasive and effective treatment for spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). But, cervical epidural blood patch for SIH has little attention.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, The clinical data was recorded and the treatment efficacy and safety of cervical EBP in SIH were evaluated.

METHODS

: Fifty-nine cases of intractable SIH were examined by computed tomography (CT) guided cervical EBP at the Chinese PLA General Hospital from August 2014 to March 2024.

RESULTS

The mean age of the fifty-nine patients at symptom onset was 40.8 ± 9.5 years. 54/59 (91.5%) patients experienced orthostatic headache. Preoperative spine T2 scans with extensive fluid collection at the upper cervical region in 43/46 (93.5%). 45/59 (76.3%) patients had symptomatic relief with initial cervical EBP, and 14/59 (23.7%) patients received further cervical EBPs. In the first one to three days following the EBP procedure, 11 (18.6%) patients reported pain at the puncture site and 15 (25.4%) experienced neck pain. No other complications were observed during or after the procedure. At the latest follow-up, all patients showed good recovery. The mean follow-up was 28.9 ± 22.7 months.

CONCLUSION

CT-guided cervical EBP is a effective and safe treatment for patients with intractable SIH, especially in patients who had extensive fluid collection at the upper cervical region.