What is the reported effectiveness percentage of a single epidural blood patch for severe post-dural-puncture headache?

A single epidural blood patch is a commonly employed treatment for severe post-dural-puncture headache (PDPH), a condition that can occur after a lumbar puncture. The technique involves injecting a small amount of the patient's own blood into the epidural space, which helps to restore the integrity of the dura mater and promotes healing, thereby alleviating the headache.

The reported effectiveness of a single epidural blood patch for managing severe PDPH is indeed around 70-80%. This level of effectiveness is backed by clinical studies that demonstrate significant relief of symptoms for a majority of patients who receive this intervention. The mechanism behind this effectiveness is tied to the creation of a clot that seals the site of the puncture and restores the normal pressure balance within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space.

The other effectiveness percentages mentioned, such as less than 30%, 40-60%, or greater than 95%, do not reflect the clinical evidence accurately. If the effectiveness were under 30% or in the 40-60% range, it would not be a standard treatment choice because such low success rates would not justify its use. Conversely, an effectiveness greater than 95% would represent an exceptionally high success rate that is not consistently