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CT Fluoroscopy-Guided Blood Patching of Ventral CSF Leaks by Direct Needle Placement in the Ventral Epidural Space Using a Transforaminal Approach.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Amrhein, TJ; Befera, NT; Gray, L; Kranz, PG
Published in: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol
October 2016

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Epidural blood patch treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension arising from ventral CSF leaks can be difficult secondary to challenges in achieving ventral spread of patching material. The purpose of this study was to determine the technical success rates and safety profile of direct needle placement into the ventral epidural space via a posterior transforaminal approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive CT fluoroscopy-guided epidural blood patches from June 2013 through July 2015. Cases were included if a posterior transforaminal approach was taken to place the needle directly in the ventral epidural space. Rates of technical success (defined as contrast in the spinal canal ventral epidural space) and optimal epidurogram (defined as contrast spreading into or beyond the middle third of the spinal canal ventral epidural space) were determined. Factors influencing these rates were assessed. All complications, inadvertent intravascular injections, and intrathecal punctures were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 72 ventral epidural blood patches were identified; immediate technical success was achieved in 95.8% and an optimal epidurogram in 47.2%. Needle position within the spinal canal ventral epidural space was associated with obtaining an optimal epidurogram (P = .005). Inadvertent intravascular injection was identified in 29.3% of cases, but all were venous. There were no inadvertent intrathecal punctures or complications. CONCLUSIONS: Direct needle placement in the ventral epidural space via a transforaminal approach for treatment of ventral CSF leaks has an excellent technical success rate and safety profile. This technique can be considered as a treatment option in selected patients with ventral CSF leaks for whom traditional techniques are unsuccessful.

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Published In

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol

DOI

EISSN

1936-959X

Publication Date

October 2016

Volume

37

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1951 / 1956

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • 3406 Physical chemistry
  • 3209 Neurosciences
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1109 Neurosciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

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Amrhein, T. J., Befera, N. T., Gray, L., & Kranz, P. G. (2016). CT Fluoroscopy-Guided Blood Patching of Ventral CSF Leaks by Direct Needle Placement in the Ventral Epidural Space Using a Transforaminal Approach. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 37(10), 1951–1956. https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A4842
Amrhein, T. J., N. T. Befera, L. Gray, and P. G. Kranz. “CT Fluoroscopy-Guided Blood Patching of Ventral CSF Leaks by Direct Needle Placement in the Ventral Epidural Space Using a Transforaminal Approach.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 37, no. 10 (October 2016): 1951–56. https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A4842.
Amrhein, T. J., et al. “CT Fluoroscopy-Guided Blood Patching of Ventral CSF Leaks by Direct Needle Placement in the Ventral Epidural Space Using a Transforaminal Approach.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, vol. 37, no. 10, Oct. 2016, pp. 1951–56. Pubmed, doi:10.3174/ajnr.A4842.

Published In

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol

DOI

EISSN

1936-959X

Publication Date

October 2016

Volume

37

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1951 / 1956

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • 3406 Physical chemistry
  • 3209 Neurosciences
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1109 Neurosciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences