Postdural Puncture Headache
Also written as: PDPH — Postdural Puncture Headache
Severe positional headache resulting from cerebrospinal fluid leakage through an inadvertent or intentional dural breach.
Full Definition
A debilitating complication characterized by severe, often throbbing headache that worsens in the upright position and improves when lying flat. It results from cerebrospinal fluid leakage through a dural puncture, leading to decreased intracranial pressure and compensatory cerebral vasodilation. In obstetric anesthesia, this most commonly occurs from accidental dural puncture during epidural placement or as a consequence of spinal anesthesia. The headache typically develops within 24-72 hours post-procedure and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, and auditory or visual disturbances. Treatment ranges from conservative management to epidural blood patch procedures.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as PDPH in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "The patient developed a postdural puncture headache requiring epidural blood patch on postoperative day two." — Discharge summary
- "Conservative management with bed rest and analgesics failed to resolve the postdural puncture headache." — Follow-up note