scholarly journals Spontaneous intracranial hypotension complicated by diffuse cerebral edema and episodes of severely elevated intracranial pressure: illustrative case

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (23) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey P. Turnbull ◽  
Vittorio M. Morreale

BACKGROUND Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a well-documented condition that typically follows a defined clinical course. Previously published studies describing the pathophysiology of SIH have demonstrated extensive evidence of low intracranial pressure (ICP) driving the clinical features of the condition. Through lumbar puncture and use of intracranial monitoring devices, however, both low and normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressures have been documented. This report outlined and discussed the unique finding of elevated ICP associated with clinical features of SIH. OBSERVATIONS Here, the authors presented a case of a patient with spontaneous spinal CSF leak who developed tonsillar herniation, cerebral edema, and subsequent episodes of elevated ICP. Although more diverse presentations of SIH are being reported, the authors believed the case to be unique because SIH was accompanied by elevated ICP. LESSONS This case adds to the growing body of literature surrounding SIH by demonstrating that patients can develop elevated CSF pressures associated with acute encephalopathy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter I. Schievink ◽  
Marcel M. Maya ◽  
Franklin G. Moser ◽  
Alexander Tuchman ◽  
Rachelle B. Cruz ◽  
...  

Spontaneous CSF–venous fistulas may be present in up to one-fourth of patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension. This is a recently discovered type of CSF leak, and much remains unknown about these fistulas. Spinal CSF–venous fistulas are usually seen in coexistence with a spinal meningeal diverticulum, suggesting the presence of an underlying structural dural weakness at the proximal portion of the fistula. The authors now report the presence of soft-tissue venous/venolymphatic malformations associated with spontaneous spinal CSF–venous fistulas in 2 patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension, suggesting a role for distal venous pathology. In a third patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension and a venolymphatic malformation, such a CSF–venous fistula is strongly suspected.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Kewlani ◽  
I Hussain ◽  
J Greenfield

Abstract The hallmark symptom of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is orthostatic headaches which manifests secondary to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypovolaemia. Well-recognised aetiologies include trauma which includes procedures such as lumbar punctures and spinal surgery. More recently, structural defects such as bony osteophytes and calcified or herniated discs have been attributed to mechanically compromising dural integrity consequently resulting in CSF leak and symptom manifestation. A thorough literature review noted only a handful of such cases. We report the case of a thirty-two-year-old Asian female who presented with a one-month history of new-onset progressively worsening orthostatic headaches. Workup included MRI of the thoracic spine which revealed an epidural collection of CSF consequently prompting a dynamic CT-myelogram of the spine which not only helped to confirm severe cerebral hypotension but also suggested the underlying cause as being a dorsally projecting osteophyte-complex at level T2-3. Conservative and medical management including bed rest, analgesia, mechanical compression, and epidural blood patches failed to alleviate symptoms and a permanent surgical cure was eventually sought. The surgery involved T2-T3 laminectomy and osteophytectomy and at a 3-month follow-up, complete resolution of symptoms was noted.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 552-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Ferrante ◽  
A Citterio ◽  
A Savino ◽  
P Santalucia

A 26-year-old man with Marfan's syndrome had postural headache. Brain MRI with gadolinium showed diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement. MRI myelography revealed bilateral multiple large meningeal diverticula at sacral nerve roots level. He was suspected to have spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome. Eight days later headache improved with bed rest and hydration. One month after the onset he was asymptomatic and 3 months later brain MRI showed no evidence of diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement. The 1-year follow-up revealed no neurological abnormalities. The intracranial hypotension syndrome likely resulted from a CSF leak from one of the meningeal diverticula. In conclusion patients with spinal meningeal diverticula (frequently seen in Marfan's syndrome) might be at increased risk of developing CSF leaks, possibly secondary to Valsalva maneuver or minor unrecognizedtrauma.


2012 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 749-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter I. Schievink ◽  
Marc S. Schwartz ◽  
M. Marcel Maya ◽  
Franklin G. Moser ◽  
Todd D. Rozen

Object Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is an important cause of headaches and an underlying spinal CSF leak can be demonstrated in most patients. Whether CSF leaks at the level of the skull base can cause spontaneous intracranial hypotension remains a matter of controversy. The authors' aim was to examine the frequency of skull base CSF leaks as the cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Methods Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were collected from a consecutive group of patients evaluated for spontaneous intracranial hypotension during a 9-year period. Results Among 273 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for spontaneous intracranial hypotension and 42 who did not, not a single instance of CSF leak at the skull base was encountered. Clear nasal drainage was reported by 41 patients, but a diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea could not be established. Four patients underwent exploratory surgery for presumed CSF rhinorrhea. In addition, the authors treated 3 patients who had a postoperative CSF leak at the skull base following the resection of a cerebellopontine angle tumor and developed orthostatic headaches; spinal imaging, however, demonstrated the presence of a spinal source of CSF leakage in all 3 patients. Conclusions There is no evidence for an association between spontaneous intracranial hypotension and CSF leaks at the level of the skull base. Moreover, the authors' study suggests that a spinal source for CSF leakage should even be suspected in patients with orthostatic headaches who have a documented skull base CSF leak.


2010 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter I. Schievink ◽  
M. Marcel Maya ◽  
Brian K. Pikul ◽  
Charles Louy

Subdural hematoma is a relatively common complication of long-term anticoagulation, particularly in the elderly. The combination of anticoagulation and cerebral cortical atrophy is believed to be sufficient to explain the subdural bleeding. The authors report a series of elderly patients who were on a regimen of anticoagulation and developed chronic subdural hematomas (SDHs) due to a spontaneous spinal CSF leak. They reviewed the medical records and imaging studies of a consecutive group of patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension who were evaluated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Among 141 patients with spontaneous spinal CSF leaks and spontaneous intracranial hypotension, 3 (2%) were taking anticoagulants at the time of onset of symptoms. The mean age of the 3 patients (1 woman and 2 men) was 74 years (range 68–86 years). All 3 patients had chronic SDHs measuring between 12 and 23 mm in maximal diameter. The SDHs resolved after treatment of the underlying spontaneous spinal CSF leak, and there was no need for hematoma evacuation. Epidural blood patches were used in 2 patients, and percutaneous placement of a fibrin sealant was used in 1 patient. The presence of an underlying spontaneous spinal CSF leak should be considered in patients with chronic SDHs, even among the elderly taking anticoagulants.


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 775-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jang Hun Kim ◽  
Haewon Roh ◽  
Won‐Ki Yoon ◽  
Taek‐Hyun Kwon ◽  
Kyuha Chong ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 106 (6) ◽  
pp. 1089-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Zada ◽  
Patrick Pezeshkian ◽  
Steven Giannotta

✓ The presentation of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) can be associated with various clinical and neuro-imaging features that may impede a rapid diagnosis of this entity. The authors report the case of a patient who presented with bilateral third cranial nerve palsies and bilateral subdural hematomas. Intracranial pressure monitoring proved to be useful in the diagnosis and management of SIH in this patient.


2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (S1) ◽  
pp. 11-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Mea ◽  
L. Chiapparini ◽  
M. Savoiardo ◽  
A. Franzini ◽  
G. Bussone ◽  
...  

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