Spinal tap may offer headache relief for brain bleed survivors
NCT ID NCT03754335
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether draining some fluid from the spine (a lumbar puncture) can help relieve severe headaches that often follow a brain aneurysm rupture. The trial involved 74 patients with mild to moderate brain bleeds. Half received a real lumbar puncture, and half received a sham procedure, with both groups also getting standard pain medication. The goal was to see if the fluid removal reduced headache intensity more than the sham procedure.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a simple, safe way to reduce severe headaches after a brain aneurysm bleed, improving patient comfort.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with only 74 participants. The procedure may not significantly reduce pain compared to standard care, and there are risks like infection or bleeding from the lumbar puncture.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
74 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2018
- Finished
-
Dec 2022
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>18 years * Low grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (WFNS score between 1 and 3) * Aneurysmal rupture ≤ 5 days * Ruptured aneurysm secured by coiling since at least 48 h * Headache with a mean numeric verbal scale ≥ 4/10 during the last 24 hours * No contraindication for lumbar puncture * Affiliation to french social security * Person able to express her consent and to assess own headache intensity Exclusion Criteria: * Minor, * Pregnancy, breastfeeding * Subarachnoid hemorrhage without aneurysm * Ruptured aneurysm not secured * High grade (WFNS 4 and 5) subarachnoid hemorrhage * Efficient anticoagulation * External ventricular drain placed before randomisation * People under legal protection * Participation to another research study with an ongoing disqualification period
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University Hospital Toulouse
Toulouse, 31059, France
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