Factors Affecting Post-Lumbar Puncture Back Pain in Children

Song, Gui Joung; Kim, Young Mi; Lee, Yun Jin; Nam, Sang Ook

Abstract

PURPOSE
Lumbar puncture is an essential and commonly practiced diagnostic tool and post-lumbar puncture headache and post-lumbar puncture back pain are common neurological complications. The aim of this study is to identify the factors that might cause post-lumbar puncture back pain and to reduce those complaints by eliminating the causes.
METHODS
From June 5, 2013 to July 29, 2013, we studied 155 patients, male and female between the age 1 and 18,who received diagnostic or therapeutic lumbar puncture at Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital. We collected data of variable aspects that may influence post-lumbar puncture back pain, by reviewing the medical records retrospectively. The independent variables were sex, age, symptoms, diagnosis, number of trials to successful lumbar puncture, year of the resident who carried out the procedure, opening pressure of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF), spinal level of punctured site, duration of strict bed rest, and use of sedatives for the procedure.
RESULTS
Among the 155 patients whounderwent lumbar puncture, 36 (23.2%) experienced back pain after the procedure. Back pain subsided within 48hours in 24 ofthe 36 patients. Only one patient suffered from post-lumbar puncture back pain for more than 5days. There is no clear causality between the occurrence rate of post-lumbar puncture back pain and the independent variables which includeage, sex, duration of bed rest, symptoms, diagnosis, number of trials, skill, opening pressure, anatomic location, and use of sedatives.
CONCLUSION
Back pain was a frequent complication of lumbar puncture. Various factors we expected to influence on the incidence of post-lumbar puncture back pain had no statistical significance. Further studies should be performed to investigate the causes and risk factors of post-lumbar puncture back pain.