Recent Updates to Diagnosis and Treatment of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a neurologic condition that is caused by a spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. The resulting CSF hypovolemia can manifest as a variety of clinical symptoms, with orthostatic headache being the most common. Although this disease has been recognized for decades, modern understanding of the types of causative spinal CSF leaks, diagnostic imaging tests to localize these leaks, and treatment options has evolved substantially in recent years. In this focused review article, we will provide an overview of the current diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. We will emphasize recent improvements in understanding the pathophysiology of spinal leaks, developments in myelographic techniques to localize CSF leaks, and new treatment options for each type of leak.