Cerebrospinal fluid leak causing spontaneous intracranial hypotension

Abstract

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is one of the important causes of headache in young and middle-aged and is commonly misdiagnosed in the initial stages. SIH generally results from a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak usually in the spinal region subsequently leading to headache, usually postural in nature. SIH is characterized by a triad of postural headache, diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement diagnosed on magnetic resonance imaging, and low CSF opening pressure of <60 mm of water. Autologous epidural blood patch (EPB) is the treatment of choice in these patients. Here, we present a case of SIH with classical clinical and radiological findings managed appropriately with EBP, leading to complete resolution of the symptoms.

Keywords

• Epidural blood patch
• spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak
• spontaneous intracranial hypotension