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[Spontaneous intracranial hypotension]
Unn Ljøstad1, Terje Fosby, Per Monstad
1Nevrologisk avdeling, Sørlandet Sykehus, 4604 Kristiansand. unn.ljostad@sshf.no
Summary
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension, a cause of headache, is often under-reported. This condition, characterized by orthostatic headache, can be diagnosed with imaging and typically resolves with conservative treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is an under-recognized cause of neurological symptoms, particularly headache.
- SIH can present with diverse clinical manifestations beyond typical orthostatic headaches.
Observation:
- This study reports on six patients diagnosed with SIH.
- All patients experienced orthostatic headaches, with five reporting additional neurological complaints.
Findings:
- Diagnosis was confirmed using meningeal enhancement on MRI in four patients and CT myelography in one, pinpointing the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.
- Conservative treatment led to symptom relief in all six patients.
Implications:
- SIH is a generally benign condition, though complications like subdural hematomas can occur.
- Connective tissue disorders may be associated predisposing factors for SIH.
- Increased awareness and utilization of advanced imaging are crucial for accurate SIH diagnosis and management.