Open AccessPersistent Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak: A Complication of the Combined Spinal-Epidural Technique
Author(s) -
Brian Chan,
Michael J. Paech
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
anesthesia and analgesia/anesthesia and analgesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.404
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1526-7598
pISSN - 0003-2999
DOI - 10.1213/01.ane.0000100660.26058.34
Subject(s) - medicine , leak , cerebrospinal fluid , complication , cerebrospinal fluid leak , surgery , anesthesia , pathology , environmental engineering , engineering
Persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is an apparently rare complication of dural puncture from spinal or epidural anesthesia. Combined spinal-epidural techniques are increasingly popular but persistent CSF leak has not been reported. We describe three parturients with persistent fluid leak from the insertion site after epidural catheter removal following combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. Uncertainties related to the diagnosis, treatment, and the implications of this complication are discussed, including beta(2)-transferrin immunofixation assay as a diagnostic test for the presence of CSF in this situation.