Grades of Dittmann et al for Severity of Post-Dural Puncture Headache

Description

A patient who has had spinal anesthesia may develop a headache following the procedure, which is termed a post-dural puncture headache (PDPH). The severity of the headache can be graded using the scale described by Dittmann et al. The authors are from Bad Sacklingen, Germany and Basel, Switzerland.

Parameters:

(1) impact on daily activities

(2) analgesia required

(3) other

Impact ADL	Analgesia	Other	Grade PDPH
no interference	none required	NA	minimal
no interference	mild analgesics	NA	mild
interferes	opiates	bed rest <= 8 days	moderate
interferes	opiates	bed rest > 8 days or blood patch	severe

where:

• Mild analgesics include aspirin, acetaminophen or other NSAID.

• The description for bed rest has "< 8 days" as moderate" and "more than 8 days" as severe. I made moderate "<=8 days".

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Grades of Dittmann et al for Severity of Post-Dural Puncture Headache

Description

Specialty