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Published on: February 29, 2020
Intermittent Cerebrospinal Leak After Inadvertent Dural Puncture During Epidural Catheter Placement for Postoperative
Birva Khara1, Ralph J Beltran1,2, David P Martin1,2
1Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
Insights
A rare case of persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak after a dural puncture in a child receiving epidural anesthesia highlights potential complications. This emphasizes the need for careful monitoring and management of adverse effects in pediatric regional anesthesia.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Regional Anesthesia Techniques
- Neurosurgical Complications
Background:
- Increasing use of regional anesthesia in pediatric patients, including neonates and infants.
- Potential adverse events associated with epidural needle placement, catheter manipulation, and local anesthetic infusion.
- Inadvertent dural puncture ('wet tap') is a known risk during epidural procedures.
Abstract:
Regional anesthesia is being used more frequently in pediatric anesthesia practice, including the perioperative care of neonates and infants. Adverse effects may be encountered during epidural needle placement, with catheter advancement, or subsequently during infusion of local anesthetic agents. We present the rare occurrence of a persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak following inadvertent dural puncture (wet tap) during attempted placement of an epidural catheter in a 6-year-old child. Potential adverse effects of epidural anesthesia in children are discussed, and options for treatment of a persistent CSF leak after inadvertent dural puncture are reviewed.
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