Headache
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In 50 patients, aged 16 to 58, an autologous blood patch was injected into the epidural space immediately after diagnostic lumbar puncture. The incidence of postpuncture headache was 22%, which was significantly lower than in a control group (40 patients, aged 17 to 54), where it amounted to 45%. ⋯ Lower back pain as the only side effect was experienced by 30 to 40% of the patients in each of the 2 groups. We conclude that the epidural blood patch is practicable and effective in the prophylaxis of postpuncture headache, but cannot prevent its occurrence in all cases.