Emergent Epidural Blood Patch

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A 53-YEAR-OLD WOMAN had an embolic stroke affecting the right middle cerebral artery secondary to atrial fibrillation. Brain swelling developed, and a hemicraniectomy was performed. At discharge to rehabilitation, the patient was interactive but with dense left-sided hemiparesis. After 5 days, she returned with fever (temperature 39.2°C). The duraplasty was soft and elevated to the level of the skull (Figure, A). A lumbar puncture was performed in the emergency department as part of the workupforinfectiousdisease.Theopening pressure was 19 cm of water with normal cerebrospinal fluid. Over the next 3 days, the duraplasty became progressively depressed, yet mental status remained stable. On day 4, the patient became acutely obtunded with a dilated and nonreactive right pupil (Figure, B). She was immediately placed in the Trendelenburg position and treated with intravenous fluid repletion, without improvement in her condition. An emergent lumbar epidural blood patch was applied, resulting in restoration of consciousness and complete reversal of tissue shifts within 6 hours (Figure, C). She remained neurologically stable, and the patient underwent elective cranioplasty several weeks later. Figure Serial head computed tomograms show the temporal evolution of paradoxical herniation. A, On arrival in the emergency department, the patient's brain and duraplasty were elevated to the level of the skull. B, At the time of clinical deterioration, a significant ...