To report a case of arachnoiditis as a complication after epidural blood patch for treatment of low-pressure headache in a patient with multiple lumbar surgeries.

Spinal arachnoiditis is an inflammatory process of the arachnoid membrane. Rarely has it been reported as a complication of an epidural blood patch for treatment of a low-pressure headache, typically in the setting of a spinal-epidural anesthesia for labor and delivery. Other causes of arachnoiditis include neurosurgical intervention, epidural injections, trauma, and tumors. Unfortunately, there is no standard of care for treatment of this potentially debilitating condition.  

This is a retrospective chart review of a single case.  

We presented a case of arachnoiditis after epidural blood patch for treatment of low-pressure headache in a patient with a history of multiple lumbar surgeries. Interestingly, this patient underwent prior laminectomies and received epidural injections, both of which are known to cause arachnoiditis. It is hypothesized that patients with multiple spinal procedures may be at an increased risk of arachnoiditis after epidural blood patch. Future research is needed to determine the risk of arachnoiditis after blood patch in the setting of multiple spinal procedures.