TerminatedEarly Phase 1

Study Evaluating Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block (SPGB) for Treatment of Postdural Puncture Headache (PDPH)

Stopped: Study stopped due to difficulty recruiting patients

United States6 participantsStarted 2015-06-29

Plain-language summary

Postdural puncture headaches (PDPH) are a consequence of spinal and epidural anesthesia in approximately 1% of cases when performed in obstetric patients. The gold standard treatment for a PDPH is currently an epidural blood patch (EBP), which involves placing a needle back into the epidural space of the neuraxium and then injecting 20 ml of the patient's own blood through the needle and into the epidural space to form a clot over the insult in the tissue layer that causes the headaches. The investigators want to test the efficacy of using a less invasive procedure, called a sphenopalatine block (SPGB), for treatment of PDPH. SPGB has been used for many years in the treatment of migraines and cluster headaches, and there are several case reports of its use to successfully treat PDPH as well. SPGB simply involves applying a local anesthetic to the mucosa in the back of each nostril to numb the nerves that cause the headache. The investigators hope that the SPGB will reduce the number of PDPH patients that require and EBP.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria * Active postdural puncture headache within 7 days after neuraxial analgesia/anesthesia * Age ≥ 18 years. * ASA physical status ≤ 3 Exclusion Criteria * Known coagulopathy * Known nasal septal deviation or abnormalities * Medical conditions contraindicated to bupivacaine or the nasal applicator (according to the product labeling)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Headache verbal pain score

Timeframe: 1 hour

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02365909

SponsorUniversity of Arkansas

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2016-08-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Postdural Puncture Headache trials