Effectivity of Theophylline in Post-Dural Puncture Headache (Results of 5 Cases)

Ufuk Ergün; Bahar Say; Ayla Bozbaş; Özcan Kocatürk; Levent İnan

Ufuk Ergün, Bahar Say, Ayla Bozbaş, Özcan Kocatürk, Levent İnan

Neurology Clinic, Minister Of Health, Education And Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

Keywords: dural puncture, intracranial hypotension, theophylline, post-dural puncture headache

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Scientific BACKGROUND: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a common complication (30%-40%) of diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP). There are several reports concerning the pharmacologic treatments of PDPH. It has been reported that peroral theophylline is effective in pharmacological management of PDPH. There are few reports about this modality. PDPH commonly presents with nausea and vomiting and these limit the peroral medications. It will be useful to use parenteral medications for rapid and effective treatments. IV theophylline treatment in post-punctural headache might be useful.

METHODS: Cases: A total of five cases presented with PDPHs which were defined according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders Criteria, which did not respond to other pharmacological treatments were presented in this paper. All of the cases had a significant relief of pain after IV theophylline infusion.

RESULTS:

CONCLUSION: CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, theophylline infusion for PDPH which does not respond to other treatments is a new method and it seems to be clinically useful.