Clinical Trial: Post-dural Puncture Headache - Needles and Biomarkers in CSF

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Quincke vs. Sprotte and Post-dural Puncture Headache - a Randomised Controlled Trial

Brief Summary: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is the most common complication following lumbar puncture (LP). The frequency varies widely depending on a number of factors, among which patient characteristics, case ascertainment, gauge and type of needle used are of significant importance. In 2001, Strupp et al. showed that over 12 % of 115 patients who were subjected to diagnostic lumbar puncture with a 22 gg (0.7 mm) atraumatic needle suffered post-dural puncture headache, while over 24 % of 115 who were given a lumbar puncture with a 22 gg traumatic needle suffered a headache. This finding provided the basis for an American recommendation to use a 22 gg atraumatic needle for diagnostic lumbar puncture. A later study with 58 patients has shown an even greater difference (36 % versus 3 % post-dural puncture headache) when an atraumatic needle is used. Despite these findings, European Neurologist continue to hold on to the cutting needle. Here the investigators propose a prospective randomized study design with double masking; neither patient nor evaluator of PDPH aware of the needle design used, and with an active ascertainment of the occurrence of PDPH in accordance with updated headache classification guidelines. The investigators also intend to investigate whether specific neuroinflammatory substances and metabolites (different outcome variables) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) will affect the explanatory variable.

Detailed Summary:

Subjects are patients scheduled for a diagnostic LP as part of their routine clinical management at the department of Neurology, Nordland Hospital in Bodø, Norway. Selection is based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria listed beneath, independent of the primary clinical indication for the procedure.

Informed consenting patients will be randomised in two groups based on needle type. The traumatic group using Spinocan® (Quincke) 22Gx3.5" needle and atraumatic group using Pencan® (Sprotte) 22Gx3.5" needle. The randomisation process will be via an internet web-based application, provided by Norwegian university of science and Technology (http://www.ntnu.edu/dmf/akf/randomisering).

Subjects will undergo standard lumbar puncture, all in lateral recumbent position, the needle inserted, preferentially in level L3-4, perpendicular or parallel to the dural fibers, and CSF will be collected in accordance with the study protocol. Information about the LP, eventual complications, CSF volumes tapped and standard CSF-findings are noted.

Follow-up will be performed by investigators that are masked to the randomization. Patients will be interviewed over the telephone, alternatively in person if hospitalised, the first 1 and 7th day after the LP.Subjects that do develop PDPH will be treated in-line with established and standardized protocols at the department of Neurology, Nordland Hospital Trust, Bodø. Given that PDPH has a natural history of spontaneous resolution within 1-12 days, patients suffering from PDPH will be treated conservatively for the duration of the first 7 days after PDPH diagnosis. Conservative therapy, based on symptoms severity and patients' responsiveness, consist of the following: bed rest, caffeine, analgesics (paracetamol, NSAIDS), a
Sponsor: Nordlandssykehuset HF

Current Primary Outcome: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) [ Time Frame: At day 7 post LP ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Levels of neuropeptides in CSF [ Time Frame: During lumbar puncture ]
  • Levels of metabolites in CSF [ Time Frame: During lumbar puncture ]
  • Levels of inflammatory mediators in CSF [ Time Frame: During lumbar puncture ]


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Nordlandssykehuset HF

Dates:
Date Received: February 27, 2015
Date Started: February 2012
Date Completion: August 2017
Last Updated: May 20, 2016
Last Verified: May 2016