Ossified ligamentum flavum of the thoracic spine presenting as spontaneous intracranial hypotension: case report

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazda K. Turel ◽  
Mena G. Kerolus ◽  
John E. O’Toole
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Thoracic Spine ◽  
Intracranial Hypotension ◽  
Ligamentum Flavum ◽  
Radiological Finding ◽  
Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak ◽  
Accurate Diagnosis ◽  
History Of ◽  
Fluid Leak

Ossification of the ligament flavum in the thoracic spine is an uncommon radiological finding in the Western population but can present with back pain, varying degrees of myelopathy, and even paraplegia on occasion. The authors here present the case of a 50-year-old woman with a history of progressive back pain and symptoms of spontaneous intracranial hypotension who was found to have an ossified ligamentum flavum of the thoracic spine resulting in a dural erosion cerebrospinal fluid leak. Surgery involved removal of the ossified ligament flavum at T10–11, facetectomy, ligation of the nerve root, and primary closure of the dura, which resulted in complete resolution of the patient’s symptoms. Radiological, clinical, and intraoperative findings are discussed to assist surgeons with an accurate diagnosis and treatment in the setting of this unusual presentation.

Sonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter before and after microsurgical closure of a dural CSF fistula in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension – a consecutive cohort study

Cephalalgia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Fichtner ◽  
Christian T Ulrich ◽  
Christian Fung ◽  
Debora Cipriani ◽  
Jan Gralla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Intracranial Hypotension ◽  
Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak ◽  
Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter ◽  
Optic Nerve Sheath ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage ◽  
Nerve Sheath ◽  
Fluid Leak

Objective Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is caused by spinal cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Patients with orthostatic headaches and cerebrospinal fluid leakage show a decrease in optic nerve sheath diameter upon movement from supine to upright position. We hypothesized that the decrease in optic nerve sheath diameter upon gravitational challenge would cease after closure of the leak. Methods We included 29 patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension and refractory symptoms admitted from 2013 to 2016. The systematic workup included: Optic nerve sheath diameter sonography, spinal MRI and dynamic myelography with subsequent CT. Microsurgical sealing of the cerebrospinal fluid leak was the aim in all cases. Results Of 29 patients with a proven cerebrospinal fluid leak, one declined surgery. A single patient was lost to follow-up. In 27 cases, the cerebrospinal fluid leak was successfully sealed by microsurgery. The width of the optic nerve sheath diameter in supine position increased from 5.08 ± 0.66 mm before to 5.36 ± 0.53 mm after surgery ( p = 0.03). Comparing the response of the optic nerve sheath diameter to gravitational challenge, there was a significant change from before (−0.36 ± 0.32 mm) to after surgery (0.00 ± 0.19 mm, p < 0.01). In parallel, spontaneous intracranial hypotension-related symptoms resolved in 26, decreased in one and persisted in a single patient despite recovery of gait. Conclusions The sonographic assessment of the optic nerve sheath diameter with gravitational challenge can distinguish open from closed spinal cerebrospinal fluid fistulas in spontaneous intracranial hypotension patients. A response to the gravitational challenge, that is, no more collapse of the optic nerve sheath while standing up, can be seen after successful treatment and correlates with the resolution of clinical symptoms. Sonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter may be utilized for non-invasive follow-up in spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

Correlations among brain and spinal MRI findings in spontaneous intracranial hypotension

Cephalalgia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (14) ◽  
pp. 1998-2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jr-Wei Wu ◽  
Yen-Feng Wang ◽  
Jong-Ling Fuh ◽  
Jiing-Feng Lirng ◽  
Shih-Pin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Intracranial Hypotension ◽  
Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension ◽  
Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Imaging Signs ◽  
Fluid Leak

Objectives Several brain and spinal magnetic resonance imaging signs have been described in spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Their correlations are not fully studied. This study aimed to explore potential mechanisms underlying cerebral neuroimaging findings and to examine associations among spinal and brain magnetic resonance imaging signs. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of magnetic resonance myelography and brain magnetic resonance imaging records of patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Categorical principal component analysis was employed to cluster brain neuroimaging findings. Spearman correlation was employed to analyze associations among different brain neuroimaging findings and between brain and spinal neuroimaging findings. Results In patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (n = 148), categorical principal component analysis of brain neuroimaging signs revealed two clusters: Cerebral venous dilation and brain descent. Among all brain magnetic resonance imaging signs examined, only midbrain-pons angle associated with anterior epidural cerebrospinal fluid collection length (surrogate spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak severity) (n = 148, Spearman’s ρ = −0.38, p < .001). Subgroup analyses showed that the association between midbrain-pons angle (within brain descent cluster) and spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak severity was presented in patients with convex margins of the transverse sinuses (n = 122, Spearman’s ρ = −0.43, p < .001), but not in patients without convex margins (n = 26, Spearman’s ρ = −0.19, p = .348). The association between severity of transverse sinus distension and spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak severity was only presented in patients without convex margins (n = 26, Spearman’s ρ = 0.52, p = .006). Conclusion This study indicates that there are two factors behind the brain neuroimaging findings in spontaneous intracranial hypotension: Cerebral venous dilation and brain descent. Certain brain neuroimaging signs correlate with spinal cerebrospinal fluid leakage severity, depending on different circumstances.

scholarly journals Gorham-Stout disease of the spine presenting with intracranial hypotension and cerebrospinal fluid leak: A case report and review of the literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 466
Author(s):  
Hana Yokoi ◽  
Vikram Chakravarthy ◽  
Benjamin Whiting ◽  
Scott E. Kilpatrick ◽  
Tsulee Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Intracranial Hypotension ◽  
Pleural Cavity ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Csf Fistula ◽  
History Of ◽  
Operative Findings ◽  
Fluid Leak ◽  
Rib Head

Background: Gorham-Stout (GS) disease or “vanishing bone disease” is rare and characterized by progressive, spontaneous osteolysis resulting in loss of bone on imaging studies. Treatment modalities include combinations of medical and/or surgical treatment and radiation therapy. Case Description: A 14-year-old female with GS disease presented with a 1-year history of thoracic back pain and atypical headaches consistent with intracranial hypotension. Magnetic resonance imaging and operative findings demonstrated a spontaneous thoracic cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF) (e.g., that extended into the pleural cavity) and complete osteolysis of the T9-10 posterior bony elements (e.g., including the rib head, lamina, and transverse processes). The patient underwent repair of CSF fistula followed by a T6-11 instrumented fusion. Conclusion: This case of GS disease, involving a thoracic CSF fistula and absence/osteolysis of the T9-T10 bony elements, could be successfully managed with direct dural repair and an instrumented T6-T11 fusion.

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