THE ROLE OF EPIDURAL BLOOD PATCH IN THE TREATMENT OF SPONTANEOUS INTRACRANIAL HYPOTENSION: TWO CASES REPORT

Phương Anh Nguyễn1, , Anh Tuan Nguyen2, Van Khanh Le2, Duy Trinh Nguyen2, Xuan Hien Nguyen2
1 Bệnh viện đa khoa Tâm Anh Hà Nội
2 Center for diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam

Main Article Content

Abstract

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a rare but treatable condition characterized by postural headaches and imaging findings suggestive of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage [1–3]. This report highlights two cases of SIH diagnosed through clinical presentation, brain MRI, and CSF leak localization using myelography. Both patients underwent computed tomography (CT)- guided epidural blood patch (EBP) treatment. We inserted a needle into the epidural space near the cerebrospinal fluid leakage site and proceeded to inject autologous blood. The procedure was performed under CT guidance to ensure accurate injection and safety, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and avoiding unnecessary complications. Following the treatment, our cases all showed positive outcomes. Significant clinical improvement, including resolution of postural headaches, was noted shortly after treatment. Follow-up MRI scans performed one week later demonstrated substantial recovery of imaging abnormalities. Sustained clinical improvement without recurrence was observed at 18 months of follow-up in the first patient and at 12 months in the second patient.
Along with previously reported cases worldwide [4] and our cases, this demonstrates that CT-guided EBP is a minimally invasive method that provides high therapeutic efficacy and safety for patients.

Article Details

References

1. Wu, J.-W.; Wang, S.-J. Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies. Neurol Clin 2024, 42 (2), 473–486. ttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.ncl.2024.02.002.
2. Farb, R. I.; Nicholson, P. J.; Peng, P. W.; Massicotte, E. M.; Lay, C.; Krings, T.; terBrugge, K. G. Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: A Systematic Imaging Approach for CSF Leak Localization and Management Based on MRI and Digital Subtraction Myelography. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2019, 40 (4), 745–753. https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A6016.
3. Luetzen, N.; Dovi-Akue, P.; Fung, C.; Beck, J.; Urbach, H. Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Workup. Neuroradiology 2021, 63 (11), 1765–1772. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-021-02766-z.
4. D’Antona, L.; Jaime Merchan, M. A.; Vassiliou, A.; Watkins, L. D.; Davagnanam, I.; Toma, A. K.; Matharu, M. S.Clinical Presentation, Investigation Findings, and Treatment Outcomes of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Neurol 2021, 78 (3), 329–337. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.4799.
5. Schievink, W. I. Spontaneous Spinal Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks and Intracranial Hypotension. JAMA 2006, 295 (19), 2286–2296. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.295.19.2286.
6. Schievink, W. I.; Morreale, V. M.; Atkinson, J. L.; Meyer, F. B.; Piepgras, D. G.; Ebersold, M. J. Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Spinal Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks. J Neurosurg 1998, 88 (2), 243–246. https://doi.org/10.3171/jns.1998.88.2.0243.
7. Kong, D.-S.; Park, K.; Nam, D. H.; Lee, J.-I.; Kim, J. S.; Eoh, W.; Kim, J. H. Clinical Features and Long-Term Results of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension. Neurosurgery 2005, 57 (1), 91–96; discussion 91-96. https://doi.org/10.1227/01.neu.0000163093.38616.35.
8. Mokri, B. Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2015, 21 (4 Headache), 1086–1108.https://doi.org/10.1212/CON.0000000000000193.
9. Callen, A. L.; Friedman, D. I.; Parikh, S.; Rau, J. C.; Schievink, W. I.; Cutsforth-Gregory, J. K.; Amrhein, T. J.;Haight, E.; Cowan, R. P.; Barad, M. J.; Hah, J. M.; Jackson, T.; Deline, C.; Buchanan, A. J.; Carroll, I. Diagnosis and Treatment of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension. Neurology Clinical Practice 2024, 14 (3), e200290.https://doi.org/10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200290.
10. Rettenmaier, L. A.; Park, B. J.; Holland, M. T.; Hamade, Y. J.; Garg, S.; Rastogi, R.; Reddy, C. G. Value of Targeted Epidural Blood Patch and Management of Subdural Hematoma in Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: Case Report and Review of the Literature. World Neurosurg 2017, 97, 27–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2016.09.076.
11. Dobrocky, T.; Grunder, L.; Breiding, P. S.; Branca, M.; Limacher, A.; Mosimann, P. J.; Mordasini, P.; Zibold,F.; Haeni, L.; Jesse, C. M.; Fung, C.; Raabe, A.; Ulrich, C. T.; Gralla, J.; Beck, J.; Piechowiak, E. I. Assessing Spinal Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension With a Scoring System Based on Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings. JAMA Neurol 2019, 76 (5), 580–587. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.4921.
12. Schievink, W. I.; Maya, M. M.; Louy, C.; Moser, F. G.; Tourje, J. Diagnostic Criteria for Spontaneous Spinal CSF Leaks and Intracranial Hypotension. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2008, 29 (5), 853–856. https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A0956.
13. Zetlaoui, P. J.; Buchheit, T.; Benhamou, D. Epidural Blood Patch: A Narrative Review. Anaesth Crit Care Pain Med 2022, 41 (5), 101138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accpm.2022.101138.
14. Abboud, T.; Behme, D.; Schatlo, B.; Rohde, V.; von der Brelie, C. Targeted Epidural Blood Patch Injection Through a Mini-Open Approach for Treatment of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2024, 26 (4), 398–405. https://doi.org/10.1227/ons.0000000000000974.
15. Epidural Blood Patch - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. ttps://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-anddentistry/epidural-blood-patch# (accessed 2024-08-20).
16. Hazama, A.; Awawdeh, F.; Braley, A.; Loree, J.; Swarnkar, A.; Chin, L. S.; Krishnamurthy, S. Recurrent Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension (SIH) and the Durability of Repeat Epidural Blood Patch (EBP). Cureus 2023, 15 (7),e41457. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.41457.
17. Balkan, I. I.; Albayram, S.; Ozaras, R.; Yilmaz, M. H.; Ozbayrak, M.; Mete, B.; Yemisen, M.; Tabak, F. Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension Syndrome May Mimic Aseptic Meningitis. Scand J Infect Dis 2012, 44 (7), 481–488. https://doi.org/10.3109/00365548.2012.664776.
18. Schievink, W. I. A Novel Technique for Treatment of Intractable Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: Lumbar Dural Reduction Surgery. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 2009, 49 (7), 1047–1051. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2009.01450.x.
19. Chung, S. J.; Lee, J.-H.; Im, J.-H.; Lee, M. C. Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Spontaneous CSF Hypovolemia. Eur Neurol 2005, 54 (2), 63–67. https://doi.org/10.1159/000087714.
20. Signorelli, F.; Caccavella, V. M.; Giordano, M.; Ioannoni, E.; Caricato, A.; Polli, F. M.; Olivi, A.; Montano, N.A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Factors Affecting the Outcome of the Epidural Blood Patching in Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension. Neurosurg Rev 2021, 44 (6), 3079–3085. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10143-021-01505-5.