Dilation of spinal epidural veins caused by spontaneous intracranial hypotension: case report
Kuniaki Nakahara1, Hideo Iida, Tetsuo Mitomi
1Department of Neurosurgery, International Goodwill Hospital, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. shinzen@beige.ocn.ne.jp
Abstract:
A 30-year-old woman presented with headache which occurred when standing up from a recumbent position. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain revealed slightly diffuse enhancement of the dura mater and two ventral extradural spinal flow voids in the supine position. Radionuclide cisternography identified cerebrospinal fluid leakage localized below the cervical level. Vertebral angiography demonstrated two dilated ventral extradural veins. The patient was treated by conservative therapy and improved with rest. The unusual clinical presentation with dilation of two epidural veins indicates the diagnostic value of MR imaging in cases of spontaneous intracranial hypotension.
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