Post-laminectomy cerebrospinal fluid fistula treated with epidural blood patch

OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cerebrospinal fluid fistula after spinal surgery is associated with a definite risk of meningitis or discitis, and as a result, early active intervention usually is recommended. This report describes the successful use of an epidural blood patch after a more conventional intervention--namely, surgical re-exploration--had failed to control a postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak. The techniques involved in performing a blood patch after spinal surgery may well differ from those usually recommended in the management of spinal headache resulting from other causes of dural puncture.