Incidence of Post-LP Headache in Aids Patients

Abstract

Headache is recognized as a frequent complication of lumbar puncture. Multiple studies have been done on the incidence of post-lumbar puncture headache but it is generally considered to be 20–40% overall with a significantly higher percentage in younger patients. Analysis of lumbar punctures performed at The San Francisco Headache Clinic for diagnostic purposes in persons with AIDS in 1986 and 1987 was done. Of 23 AIDS related lumbar punctures performed there was either no change in pre-existing headache or no headache reported before or after lumbar puncture in all but one patient. The incidence of clearcut post-lumbar puncture headache in this group of patients was 4%. This phenomenon may be due to direct CNS invasion of the HIV virus.