Intranasal Lidocaine Atomization As Novel And Noninvasive Treatment Option For Postdural Puncture Headache Two Case Reports From Obstetric Anesthesiology

Background Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) occurs in up to 11% of patients after spinal anesthesia and in more than 80% after dural perforation upon epidural anesthesia. It represents a severe anesthesiological complication in obstetric patients. If conservative medication measures do not result in a timely relief of symptoms, the current guidelines recommend the early implementation of an epidural blood patch; however, although performing an epidural blood patch is effective to treat PDPH, potential side effects include neurological complications, spinal hematoma and infections. Assumed to reduce cerebral vasodilatation as a potential pathophysiological driver of PDPH, the transnasal block of the sphenopalatine ganglion with local anesthetics is discussed as an alternative approach. Methods In this case study a modification of this technique is reported using a mucosal atomization device (MAD) for off-label nasal administration of lidocaine in two obstetric patients suffering from PDPH. Up to now there is no experience with this modified technique in obstetric anesthesiology. Results The first patient (25-year-old secundigravida, body mass index [BMI] 54.7 kg/m(2)) displayed a pronounced PDPH with nausea and vomiting during the first day after a cesarean section under spinal anesthesia (3 attempts). The second patient (32-year-old tertiagravida, BMI 27.3 kg/m(2)) was readmitted to hospital due to PDPH 4 days after a natural birth under epidural anesthesia. Whereas conservative measures and therapeutic attempts with nonopioid analgesics and caffeine did not result in a sufficient treatment success, intranasal lidocaine administration via a MAD led to an immediate and persisting symptom relief. Both patients could be discharged from hospital after 24 h of surveillance and did not report any relevant side effects of the lidocaine administration. Conclusion The described noninvasive and simple procedure represents a valuable addition to previously known treatment options for PDPH and a potential alternative to an epidural blood patch in obstetric patients with PDPH. Prospective studies are needed to validate the findings.