The role of bedside ultrasound in pretherapeutic and posttherapeutic lumbar puncture in patient with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Am J Emerg Med. 2014 Oct;32(10):1298.e3-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2014.03.028. Epub 2014 Mar 26.

Abstract

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), also known as pseudotumor cerebri, is often a debilitating condition characterized by headaches, blurry vision, nausea, and vomiting. Lumbar puncture (LP) is an essential component of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach; however, the procedure itself can cause postlumbar puncture headache. In addition to the clinical presentation, the use of bedside ultrasound to measure the optic nerve sheath diameter may aid in differentiating the 2 conditions.We hereby report a case of a 33-year old woman with known IIH who presented with recurrent headache after the initial therapeutic LP.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Optic Nerve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Optic Nerve / physiopathology
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / physiopathology
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / therapy
  • Spinal Puncture / methods
  • Ultrasonography