POSTLUMBAR PUNCTURE SYNDROME

Postlumbar puncture syndrome (PPS) is caused by continuous leakage oi CSF through the dural puncture defect. While it has long been known th at the symptoms are dependent on the diameter of the puncture needle, the influence of the needle point on the frequency of PPS has now also been examined. Following diagnostic and/or therapeutic lumbar punctur e (LP) with Sprotte's ''atraumatic'' needle, the symptoms in 600 patie nts during a period of 8 days were recorded. In 92% of the patients LP involved no problems. In 7% the puncture was successful only at the s econd or third attempt. In 4 cases it was necessary to carry out the p rocedure under X-ray control. While the literature shows that PPS foll owing lumbar puncture with a 21 G needle occurs in 30-40% of cases, on ly 3.6% of the patients complained about position-dependent headaches where the Sprotte needle was used. Nausea, dizziness and tinnitus were extremely rare (<1%). - The ''atraumatic'' puncture needle reduces th e frequency and the degree of PPS to the minimum and makes the lumbar puncture procedure possible on an outpatient basis.