Blood Patch

An epidural blood patch is a relatively simple procedure in which blood drawn from an intravenous line in the arm is injected into the epidural space in the spine. This procedure is done to treat cerebral spinal fluid leak and accompanying spinal headache and sometimes nausea resulting from a loss of CSF or cerebral spinal fluid following a lumbar puncture or myelogram procedure. This type of headache is usually worsened by sitting or standing and relieved by lying down. Placement of the blood forms a barrier within the epidural space to seal off the leak. The injection is done with the patient lying on his or her abdomen. Fluoroscopy (live x-ray) is used to aid the radiologist in guiding the needle directly into the epidural space. Once the needle has reached the epidural space, a small amount of contrast dye is injected into the area to ensure proper needle placement and then the blood is injected.

Following the procedure, the patient is expected to lie flat for approximately an hour, after which time the patient is discharged with instructions to rest at home.