Estado actual de la cefalea postpunción meníngea en un hospital colombiano / Status of post-dural puncture headache in a Colombian hospital

Introducción: La cefalea postpunción meníngea (CPPM) posterior a la anestesia raquídea es una de las complicaciones más frecuentes asociadas a factores intrínsecos del paciente y de la técnica anestésica. Objetivo: Describir la frecuencia y los factores asociados con el desarrollo de la cefalea postpunción meníngea. Materiales y métodos: Serie retrospectiva de pacientes que ingresaron a un hospital de segundo nivel y se les confirmó el diagnóstico de cefalea secundaria a la anestesia raquídea. Resultados: Serie de 49 casos, 88 % de sexo femenino y 12 % de sexo masculino, con una edad media de 27,7 años. Los procedimientos quirúrgicos con desenlace de CPPM fueron: cirugías de ginecología y obstetricia (63 %), cirugías de urgencias de otras especialidades (28 %) y cirugías electivas (8 %). La técnica anestésica se realizó con agujas biseladas tipo Quincke calibre 25 gauge (G) en 14%, calibre 26 G 33 % y 27 G 53 %. El 51 % se realizó en posición de sedestación y el 49 % en decúbito lateral izquierdo. El 10% de los casos se manejó con parche hemático, en tanto que el antecedente de migraña se presentó en el 8 %. Discusión: En la actualidad, el uso de agujas con diseño de punta cónica es el estándar de oro, ya que permite obtener resultados confiables y disminuye complicaciones como la CPPM. Conclusión: La CPPM luego de una anestesia espinal se relacionó con factores como la edad (joven), el sexo (femenino) y el uso de agujas biseladas. Los otros factores de riesgo identificados fueron poco concluyentes, aunque no se pueden descartar, debido a la naturaleza de este estudio.

Introduction: Post dural puncture headache (PDPH) following spinal anesthesia is one of the most frequent complications associated with intrinsic patient and anesthetic technique factors. Objective: To describe the frequency and associated factors related to the development of PDPH. Materials and methods: Retrospective series of patients admitted to a second level hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of headache secondary to spinal anesthesia. Results: Series of 49 cases, 88 % female and 12 % male, mean age 27.7 years. The surgical procedures resulting in CPPM were gynecology and obstetrics surgeries 63 %, emergency surgeries of other specialties 28 % and elective surgeries 8 %. The anesthetic technique was performed with beveled needles Quincke type 25 gauge (G) in 14 %, 26 G gauge 33% and 27 G 53 %. In the seated position 51 % and in the left lateral decubitus position 49% were performed. A blood patch was used in 10 % of the cases and a history of migraine was present in 8 %. Discussion: The use of needles with conical tip design is currently the gold standard, they give reliable results and reduce complications such as PDPH. Conclusion: PDPH after spinal anesthesia was related to factors such as age (young), sex (female) and the use of traumatic needles. The other risk factors identified were inconclusive, although they cannot be ruled out due to the nature of this study.

It's not always postdural puncture headache: a case report and note to the astute anesthesiologist

Abstract Dural puncture is either diagnosed by unexpectedly profound response to medication test dose or development of a postpartum postural headache. Epidural blood patch is the gold standard for treatment of PDPH when conservative management fails. However, postpartum headaches can be resistant to multiple epidural blood patches. In such cases, preexisting intracranial processes should be considered and ruled out. We report here the unique case of a pregnant patient who developed a resistant headache in the postpartum period related to an incidental intracranial aneurysm. Subsequent treatment with endovascular embolization adequately relieved her symptoms. Early surgical consultation and a multidisciplinary team approach involving neurology and neuroimaging is required for successful management of patients such as the one described here.

Early versus late sphenopalatine ganglion block with ropivacaine in postdural puncture headache: an observational study

Abstract Background Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a common complication of neuraxial techniques which delays patients' discharge. Sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) is a safe bedside technique with comparable efficacy to Epidural Blood Patch, the gold-standard treatment. There is no evidence on the ideal timing for SPGB performance. We aimed to evaluate the difference between early versus late SPGB concerning efficacy, symptom recurrence and hospital length of stay. Methods We present an observational study with 41 patients diagnosed with PDPH who were submitted to SPGB with ropivacaine 0,75%. The study sample (n = 41) was divided in two groups: an early (less than 24 hours after diagnosis) and a late (more than 24 hours after diagnosis) SPGB group. Pain was evaluated 15 minutes after the block and follow up occurred daily until patients were discharged. Patients' demographic characteristics, neuraxial technique, timing of SPGB, qualitative pain relief and post-SPGB length of stay were registered and analyzed with SPSS statistics (v26) software. Results Early SPGB resulted in a significant reduction in length of stay (p = 0,009) and symptom recurrence (p = 0,036), showing equally effective pain relief, compared to late SPGB. Conclusions SPGB was equally effective in both groups. Data showed that early SPGB reduces length of hospital stay and symptom recurrence, which potentially allows early resumption of daily activities and a reduction in total health costs.

It.ÇÖs not always postdural puncture headache: a case report and note to the astute anesthesiologist.

Dural puncture is either diagnosed by unexpectedly profound response to medication test dose or development of a postpartum postural headache. Epidural blood patch is the gold standard for treatment of PDPH when conservative management fails. However, postpartum headaches can be resistant to multiple epidural blood patches. In such cases, preexisting intracranial processes should be considered and ruled out. We report here the unique case of a pregnant patient who developed a resistant headache in the postpartum period related to an incidental intracranial aneurysm. Subsequent treatment with endovascular embolization adequately relieved her symptoms. Early surgical consultation and a multidisciplinary team approach involving neurology and neuroimaging is required for successful management of patients such as the one described here.

Early versus late sphenopalatine ganglion block with ropivacaine in postdural puncture headache: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a common complication of neuraxial techniques which delays patients.ÇÖ discharge. Sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) is a safe bedside technique with comparable efficacy to Epidural Blood Patch, the gold-standard treatment. There is no evidence on the ideal timing for SPGB performance. We aimed to evaluate the difference between early versus late SPGB concerning efficacy, symptom recurrence and hospital length of stay. METHODS: We present an observational study with 41 patients diagnosed with PDPH who were submitted to SPGB with ropivacaine 0,75%. The study sample (n=41) was divided in two groups: an early (less than 24hours after diagnosis) and a late (more than 24hours after diagnosis) SPGB group. Pain was evaluated 15minutes after the block and follow up occurred daily until patients were discharged. PATIENTS: ÇÖ demographic characteristics, neuraxial technique, timing of SPGB, qualitative pain relief and post-SPGB length of stay were registered and analyzed with SPSS statistics (v26) software. RESULTS: Early SPGB resulted in a significant reduction in length of stay (p=0,009) and symptom recurrence (p=0,036), showing equally effective pain relief, compared to late SPGB. CONCLUSIONS: SPGB was equally effective in both groups. Data showed that early SPGB reduces length of hospital stay and symptom recurrence, which potentially allows early resumption of daily activities and a reduction in total health costs.

Síndrome de hipotensión endocraneana espontánea: reporte de un caso clínico / Spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome: clinic case report

La hipotensión intracraneal espontánea (SIH) es una patología con una incidencia anual aproximada de 5 por cada 100.000 personas al año, caracterizada clásicamente por cefalea ortostática comúnmente secundaria a una fuga espontánea de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR), pudiendo existir a su vez una amplia gama de síntomas asociados. El diagnóstico se centra en la clínica y en hallazgos típicos en la resonancia nuclear magnética (RM), sin embargo, según diversos estudios, puede corresponder a una patología subdiagnosticada por la dificultad que ha existido en definir criterios diagnósticos universales y un manejo terapéutico estandarizado, el cual varía inicialmente entre manejo médico conservador y/o parches de sangre epidural (PHE). Reportamos el caso de una paciente femenina de 51 años quien fue atendida en el Hospital Herminda Martin de Chillán donde se realizó el diagnóstico y tratamiento sintomático con PHE.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a pathology with an annual incidence of approximately 5 per 100,000 people per year, classically characterized by orthostatic headache commonly secondary to a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and there may also be a wide range of of associated symptoms. The diagnosis is centered on the clinic and on typical findings in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), however, according to various studies, it may correspond to an underdiagnosed pathology due to the difficulty that has existed in defining universal diagnostic criteria and standardized therapeutic management. which initially varies between conservative medical management and/or epidural blood patches (PHE). We report the case of a 51-year-old female patient who was treated at the Herminda Martin de Chillán Hospital where the diagnosis and symptomatic treatment with PHE were made.

New approaches and therapeutic options for post-dural puncture headache treatment / Nuevos abordajes y alternativas terapéuticas en el tratamiento de la cefalea pospunción dural

Abstract Post-dural puncture headache is a frequent complication in neuraxial approaches. It may result in disability, healthcare dissatisfaction and potentially serious complications. The traditional initial management includes general and analgesia measures with poor evidence. The treatment approach best supported by the literature is the epidural blood patch for which rates of up 70% improvement have been reported. Regional techniques have been recently described that may be helpful because they are less invasive than the epidural blood patch, under certain clinical circumstances. This article suggests an algorithm that uses such techniques for the management of this complication.

Resumen La cefalea pospunción dural es una complicación frecuente del abordaje del neuroeje. Puede producir incapacidad, insatisfacción con la atención en salud y complicaciones potencialmente graves. Tradicionalmente su manejo inicial incluye medidas generales y de analgesia las cuales tienen baja evidencia. La medida para su tratamiento, con mejor soporte en la literatura, es la realización de parche hemático, el cual informa tazas de mejoría hasta del 70 %. Recientemente se han descrito técnicas regionales, que pueden resultar útiles por ser menos invasivas que el parche hemático, en ciertos contextos clínicos. En este artículo se propone un algoritmo que permite incorporar dichas técnicas al manejo de esta complicación.

Epidural blood patch for the treatment of liquor hypotension after intrathecal chemotherapy in a 10-year-old: case report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An epidural blood patch is used to treat postdural puncture and liquor hypotension headache. We report the use of an epidural blood patch in a critical pediatric patient. CASE REPORT: A 10-year-old girl with acute leukemia developed venous cerebral thrombosis with hemorrhagic transformation one month after intrathecal chemotherapy. Given the unusual clinical and imagiological evolution even after decompressive craniectomy, we suspected cerebrospinal fluid hypotension. Spine imaging revealed signs of post-lumbar puncture fistula; we hence performed a blind blood patch. CONCLUSIONS: Recognizing cerebrospinal fluid hypotension in critical pediatric patients is important. Less-conventional life-saving measures, such as a blind blood patch, may be considered in such patients.

Bilateral greater occipital nerve block for treatment of post-dural puncture headache after caesarean operations / Bloqueio bilateral do nervo occipital maior para tratamento de cefaleia pós-punção dural após cesarianas

Abstract Background: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is an important complication of neuroaxial anesthesia and more frequently noted in pregnant women. The pain is described as severe, disturbing and its location is usually fronto-occipital. The conservative treatment of PDPH consists of bed rest, fluid theraphy, analgesics and caffeine. Epidural blood patch is gold standard theraphy but it is an invasive method. The greater occipital nerve (GON) is formed of sensory fibers that originate in the C2 and C3 segments of the spinal cord and it is the main sensory nerve of the occipital region. GON blockage has been used for the treatment of many kinds of headache. The aim of this retrospective study is to present the results of PDPH treated with GON block over 1 year period in our institute. Methods: 16 patients who had been diagnosed to have PDPH, and performed GON block after caesarean operations were included in the study. GON blocks were performed as the first treatment directly after diagnose of the PDPH with levobupivacaine and dexamethasone. Results: The mean VAS score of the patients was 8.75 (±0.93) before the block; 3.87 (±1.78) 10 min after the block; 1.18 (±2.04) 2 h after the block and 2.13 (±1.64) 24 h after the block. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusions: Treatment of PDPH with GON block seems to be a minimal invasive, easy and effective method especially after caesarean operations. A GON block may be considered before the application of a blood patch.

Resumo Justificativa: A cefaleia pós-punção dural (CPPD) é uma complicação importante da anestesia neuroaxial e mais frequentemente observada em grávidas. A dor é descrita como intensa, perturbadora, e sua localização é geralmente fronto-occipital. O tratamento conservador da CPPD consiste em repouso no leito, fluidoterapia, analgésicos e cafeína. O tampão sanguíneo peridural é o padrão ouro de tratamento, mas é um método invasivo. O nervo occipital maior (NOM) é formado por fibras sensoriais com origem nos segmentos C2 e C3 da medula espinhal e é o principal nervo sensorial da região occipital. O bloqueio do NOM tem sido usado para o tratamento de muitos tipos de dor de cabeça. O objetivo deste estudo retrospectivo foi apresentar os resultados de CPPD tratada com bloqueio do NOM no período de um ano em nosso instituto. Métodos: Foram incluídas no estudo 16 pacientes diagnosticadas com CPPD e submetidas a bloqueio de NOM após cesariana. Os bloqueios do NOM foram feitos com levobupivacaína e dexametasona como o primeiro tratamento imediatamente após o diagnóstico de CPPD. Resultados: A média dos escores EVA das pacientes foi de 8,75 (±0,93) antes do bloqueio; 3,87 (±1,78) 10 minutos após o bloqueio; 1,18 (±2,04) duas horas após o bloqueio e 2,13 (±1,64) 24 horas após o bloqueio. Efeitos adversos não foram observados. Conclusões: O tratamento da CPPD com bloqueio do NOM parece ser um método minimamente invasivo, fácil e eficaz, especialmente após cesarianas. O bloqueio do NOM pode ser considerado antes da aplicação de um tampão sanguíneo peridural.

Bilateral greater occipital nerve block for treatment of post-dural puncture headache after caesarean operations.

BACKGROUND: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is an important complication of neuroaxial anesthesia and more frequently noted in pregnant women. The pain is described as severe, disturbing and its location is usually fronto-occipital. The conservative treatment of PDPH consists of bed rest, fluid theraphy, analgesics and caffeine. Epidural blood patch is gold standard theraphy but it is an invasive method. The greater occipital nerve (GON) is formed of sensory fibers that originate in the C2 and C3 segments of the spinal cord and it is the main sensory nerve of the occipital region. GON blockage has been used for the treatment of many kinds of headache. The aim of this retrospective study is to present the results of PDPH treated with GON block over 1 year period in our institute. METHODS: 16 patients who had been diagnosed to have PDPH, and performed GON block after caesarean operations were included in the study. GON blocks were performed as the first treatment directly after diagnose of the PDPH with levobupivacaine and dexamethasone. RESULTS: The mean VAS score of the patients was 8.75 (±0.93) before the block; 3.87 (±1.78) 10min after the block; 1.18 (±2.04) 2h after the block and 2.13 (±1.64) 24h after the block. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of PDPH with GON block seems to be a minimal invasive, easy and effective method especially after caesarean operations. A GON block may be considered before the application of a blood patch.

Eficacia del parche hemático transvaginal endocervical autólogo en ruptura prematura de membranas pretérmino / Effectiveness of transvaginal blood patch endocervical Autologous in Preterm premature rupture of membranes

OBJETIVO: comparar la efectividad terapéutica del parche hemático transvaginal endocervical autólogo en casos de ruptura prematura de membranas pretérmino frente al llamado tratamiento expectante. MÉTODOS: Ensayo controlado, aleatorio y prospectivo teniendo como variables determinantes el tiempo de latencia de la ruptura y la sobrevida de los recién nacidos. En un período de 12 semanas, solo 35 pacientes con edades comprendidas entre 16 y 37 y promedio de 26,5 años, cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. La edad de gestación tuvo una media de 23,5 ± 3,92 semanas. Con distribución aleatoria, se formaron dos grupos independientes y estadísticamente comparables donde el primero con 9 casos (25,7.%) fue tratado con el parche hemático y el segundo considerado grupo control, con 26 casos (74,2.%) recibió el tratamiento expectante. RESULTADOS: Con un nivel de significancia de 0,05 hubo una diferencia significativa tanto en el período de latencia (P=0,002) como en la sobrevida de los recién nacidos (P=0,006) demostrando la efectividad terapéutica del parche frente al tratamiento expectante. No hubo diferencia referente a la edad materna y la edad gestacional. Con el tratamiento con el parche hemático la reducción del riesgo absoluto fue de 54,70 %, el riesgo relativo de muerte de 0,289, la reducción del riesgo relativo de muerte del 71,11 % , el número necesario de pacientes a tratar fue de 1,83 pacientes y "Odds Ratio"= 0,09 (0,086). El parche hemático no evidenció efectos adversos, complicaciones y fue de bajo costo. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados obtenidos demuestran de manera significativa la efectividad terapéutica del parche hemático frente al tratamiento expectante, mejorando tanto el período de latencia del embarazo como la sobrevida de los recién nacidos con ruptura de membranas ovulares pretermino.

OBJECTIVE: to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of the autologous endocervical transvaginal blood patch, in cases of preterm premature rupture of membranes, versus the so called expectant treatment. METHODS: Controlled, randomized and prospective trial having latency time of the break and survival of newborns as determining variables. In a 12-week period, only 35 patients aged between 16 and 37 and averaging 26,5 years, met the inclusion criteria. Gestational age had an average of 23.5 ± 3.92 weeks. With a random distribution, two independent and statistically comparable groups where formed; where the first one, with nine cases (25.7 %), was treated with the blood patch; and the second one, with 26 (74.2%), and considered the control group, received expectant treatment. RESULTS: With a significance level of 0.05, there was a significant difference in both the latency period (P = 0.002) and the survival of newborns (P = 0.006), demonstrating the therapeutic effectiveness of the patch as compared with the expectant treatment. There was no difference regarding maternal age and gestational age. With the blood patch treatment, Absolute Risk Reduction (ARR) was 54.70 %; the relative risk of death (RR), of 0.289; the reduction of the relative risk of death (RRR), of 71.11 %; the number needed to treat (NNT) was 1.83 patients; and the "Odds ratio" (OR) = 0.09 (0.086). The blood patch did not report adverse effects, complications and was inexpensive. CONCLUSIONS: The results show a significant therapeutic effectiveness of the blood patch versus the expectant treatment, improving both the latency period of pregnancy and the survival of infants in cases of preterm rupture of ovular membranes.

Bilateral subdural hematoma secondary to accidental dural puncture / Hematoma subdural bilateral secundário a punção dural acidental / Hematoma subdural bilateral secundario a punción dural accidental

We report the case of a 25-year-old woman, who received epidural analgesia for labor pain and subsequently presented post-dural puncture headache. Conservative treatment was applied and epidural blood patch was performed. In the absence of clinical improvement and due to changes in the postural component of the headache, a brain imaging test was performed showing a bilateral subdural hematoma. The post-dural puncture headache is relatively common, but the lack of response to established medical treatment as well as the change in its characteristics and the presence of neurological deficit, should raise the suspicion of a subdural hematoma, which although is rare, can be lethal if not diagnosed and treated at the right time.

Apresentamos o caso clínico de uma paciente de 25 anos na qual uma técnica peridural foi aplicada durante o trabalho de parto e posteriormente apresentou cefaleia com características de cefaleia pós-punção dural. Foi iniciado tratamento conservador e tampão de sangue peridural. Devido à ausência de melhoria clínica e à mudança do componente postural da cefaleia, decidiu-se fazer um exame de imagem cerebral que demonstrou a presença de hematoma subdural bilateral. A cefaleia pós-punção dural é relativamente frequente, mas a falta de resposta ao tratamento médico instaurado, assim como a mudança em suas características e a presença de foco neurológico, deve levantar a suspeita de presença de um hematoma subdural que, embora infrequente, pode chegar a ser devastador se não for diagnosticado e tratado oportunamente.

Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente de 25 años de edad, a quien se le realizó una técnica epidural durante el trabajo de parto y posteriormente presentó cefalea con características de cefalea pospunción dural. Se inició tratamiento conservador y se realizó parche hemático epidural. Ante la falta de mejoría clínica y debido al cambio en el componente postural de la cefalea, se decidió realizar una prueba de imagen cerebral que demostró la presencia de hematoma subdural bilateral. La cefalea pospunción dural es relativamente frecuente, pero la falta de respuesta al tratamiento médico instaurado, así como el cambio en sus características y la presencia de focalidad neurológica, deben hacer sospechar la presencia de un hematoma subdural que, aunque infrecuente, puede llegar a ser devastador si no se diagnostica y trata oportunamente.

Bilateral subdural hematoma secondary to accidental dural puncture.

We report the case of a 25-year-old woman, who received epidural analgesia for labor pain and subsequently presented post-dural puncture headache. Conservative treatment was applied and epidural blood patch was performed. In the absence of clinical improvement and due to changes in the postural component of the headache, a brain imaging test was performed showing a bilateral subdural hematoma. The post-dural puncture headache is relatively common, but the lack of response to established medical treatment as well as the change in its characteristics and the presence of neurological deficit, should raise the suspicion of a subdural hematoma, which although is rare, can be lethal if not diagnosed and treated at the right time.

Cefalea pospunción dural en la paciente obstétrica / Headache after a dural puncture in obstetric patient

La punción lumbar o dural (PL), consiste en pasar una aguja a través de la duramadre hasta el espacio subaracnoideo, el cual está lleno de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR). Siempre que la dura madre o la aracnoides sean puncionadas, los pacientes están en riesgo de desarrollar cefalea pospunción dural. El objetivo de este estudio fue hacer una puesta al día sobre las causas, diagnóstico, prevención y tratamiento de la cefalea pospunción dural. La cefalea pospunción dural (CPPD) se comporta como un dolor de cabeza bilateral que se desarrolla dentro de los 5 días posteriores a la realización de PL y desaparece en una semana...

The lumbar puncture (LP) or dural puncture consist of to pass a needle through the dura mater until the subarachnoid space, which is full of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Whenever the dura mater or the arachnoid be punctured, the patients are in risk of to develop headache post dural puncture (HPDP). The aim of present study was to update on the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of this type of puncture. The HPDP behaves likes a bilateral headache developed at 5 days post lumbar puncture and disappear at a week...

Parche de sangre autólogo: resultados / Autologous blood patch: results

Se presenta la experiencia del uso del parche de sangre autólogo en pacientes con diagnóstico de fuga de aire persistente a través del drenaje torácico, producto de la complicación de fístula broncopleural. Estos pacientes luego de este tratamiento tuvieron resultados alentadores y pudieron salir de alta en buenas condiciones evitándose intervenciones quirúrgicas innecesarias para resolver esta complicación.

Is presented the experience of autologus blood patch in patients with persistent air leak related to broncho pleural fistulae. The follow up after the treatment of the patients showed good results and they discharged out from the hospital in good conditions and this treatment precluded innecesary surgery.

Cefalea Postpunción: revisión del tema / Post puncture: topic review

Una de las complicaciones neurológicas más frecuentes de la anestesia neuroaxial es la cefalea postpunción meníngea, que se puede observar luego de una anestesia subaracnoídea o bien, de una punción inadvertida de la duramadre-aracnoides durante la realización de una anestesia epidural o después de la punción diagnóstica para estudio de líquido cefalorraquídeo. La cefalea postpunción está motivada por la fuga de líquido cefalorraquídeo a través del orificio de punción en la duramadre, se relaciona con varios factores entre los que se encuentran: edad, sexo, tipo de aguja y calibre, número de intentos, dirección de la aguja, dificultad de la punción, etc. La patogenia no está del todo aclarada. Existen dos teorías que tratan de explicarla: Teoría mecanicista y la Teoría vascular. El diagnóstico es clínico y está dado fundamentalmente por cefalea que aparece cuando el paciente se incorpora y desaparece en el decúbito, y puede acompañarse de otros signos y síntomas. El mejor tratamiento es la prevención, empleando material anestésico y técnica adecuada. El tratamiento depende de la intensidad, que va desde el reposo, hidratación, analgésicos, Cafeína, Dihidroergotamina y en algunos casos técnicas terapéuticas donde el de mejores resultados es el parche epidural hemático

One of the more frequent neurological complications of neuroaxial anesthesia is meningeal post puncture headache that can be observed alter subarainoid anesthesia or an advertent puncture of aracnoid dura matter during the realization of epidural anesthesia or after the diagnosis by puncture for the study of cerebrospinal fluid .The postpuncture headache is caused by crerebospinal fluid escape through the puncture orifice in the dura matter .It is related to various factors among which can be found : age, sex, type of needle and caliber ,number of attempts ,direction of the needle ,difficulty of the puncture ,etc .The pathogenesis is not completely established .There are two theories that try to explain it: mechanicañl theory and the vascular one .The diagnosis is clinical and it is especially given by headache that appear when the patient stands up and disappear in decubitus and it can be accompanied signs and symptoms .The better treatment is prevention using anesthesic material and adequate technique .he treatment depends on the intensity , that goes from rest, hydratation ,analgesics .Caffeine dihydroergotamine and in some cases therapy thecniques where the one with best results is the hematic epidural patch.

Nota técnica y casos clínicos: manejo de brechas meningeas postoperatorias espinales con la ayuda de un parche de sangre local / Technical notes and clinical cases: management of postoperatory spinal meningeal gap with local blood patch

Se presenta una alternativa terapéutica para el tratamiento de las brechas espinales mediante el uso del concepto de parche de sangre y la creación de un espacio que lo contenga con la sutura de un injerto de aponeurosis. El método demostró ser eficaz y útil en dos casos clínicos. Su real utilidad como técnica quirúrgica deberá ser evaluada con una serie con mayor número de casos.

Taponamiento epiploico de las úlceras gastroduodenales perforadas: una nueva técnica: informe preliminar / Tamponage epiploid of ulcer perforated gastroduodenal omentum patch: a new technique: report preliminary

La úlcera péptica perforada representa 10 por ciento de todas las hospitalizaciones relacionadas con úlcera péptica y se produce en 7 a 10 pacientes por 100.000 por año. La mortalidad general por perforación de úlceras gástricas es elevada: de 10 por ciento a 40 por ciento, cifra más alta que la general de mortalidad de la úlcera piloroduodenal perforada, que varía de 0 por ciento a 10 por ciento. Hay varias opciones convencionales para tratar con una laparotomía una úlcera gastroduodenal perforada: cierre simple, cierre con un parche de epiplón y uso de un procedimiento definitivo. Nosotros usamos y recomendamos una nueva técnica con parche de epiplón, que evita el desarrollo de isquemia de éste y puede ser utilizada en los pacientes críticamente enfermos con una gran úlcera duodenal (mayor de 1 cm) en quienes es inconveniente realizar un procedimiento definitivo. Este procedimiento ha sido realizado en 6 pacientes: 5 masculinos y 1 femenino, uno de los cuales falleció y uno de ellos fue posteriormente a cirugía definitiva