Report of cerebral vasospasm as a complication of intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage following traumatic lumbar puncture

BACKGROUND: This case report is the first documented and illustrated case of the identification and treatment of intracranial vasospasm as a sequalae of traumatic lumbar puncture (LP). LP is a routine procedure performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Although rare, this procedure has risks and complications that should be considered before performing. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 58-year-old male was found to have intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) 2 days after a traumatic LP which occurred in the setting of subtherapeutic international normalized ratio. During his hospitalization, the patient developed both clinical and radiographic signs of vasospasm. He was taken for angiography, which demonstrated significant vasospasm of bilateral middle cerebral arteries and bilateral anterior cerebral arteries. All vasospasms resolved and the patient improved clinically after intra-arterial spasmolytic therapy. CONCLUSION: LP is a routine procedure with complications that are often overlooked. The authors describe intracranial vasospasm from traumatic LP before correction of patient’s coagulopathy. Cases with similar hemorrhage occurring in the spine resulting in non-aneurysmal SAH and vasospasm were reviewed.