Effect of treatment with epidural blood patch on intracranial hypotension / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To examine the effect of treatment with epidural blood patch on intracranial hypotension in rabbits and the possible mechanism.METHODS: The stable intracranial hypotension was made by lumbar puncture,then some blood was injected into the epidural space,and the changes of the intracranial pressure was determined continuously. Furthermore, the components of cerebrospinal fluid and the changes of choroid plexus epithelial cells, the spine and the dura were examined with electron microscope and light microscope 5 days later.RESULTS: The intracranial pressure was increased at once after the treatment with epidural blood patch and maintained at the normal level. The pathologic examinations showed that thrombus could be seen in the epidural space,and there was inflammatory reaction in the spinal dura mater. The results of electron microscope show that the choroid plexus epithelial cells appear actively for secretion.CONCLUSION: Intracranial hypotension could be effectively reversed by treatment with epidural blood patch. The possible mechanism might include physical squeeze,the leaking hole blocked and the cerebrospinal fluid increased by thrombus.