[Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension]

Maria João Pinto1, Luís Braz1, José Fonseca2

  • 1Serviço de Neurologia. Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João. Porto; Departamento de Neurociências Clínicas e Saúde Mental. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a syndrome characterized by disabling orthostatic headache, due to reduced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume probably caused by a CSF fistula. It affects mostly women of working-age, although it is probably underdiagnosed. The aim of this article is to present a practical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of SIH. After a description of its symptoms and signs, we present a step-by-step approach to the confirmation of the diagnosis and treatment, considering different clinical scenarios. This is intended to guide clinical decision making, through a systematized and individualized management, aimed at the best interest of the patient.

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