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Intracranial hypotension presenting with severe encephalopathy. Case report
C E Beck1, N W Rizk, L T Kiger
1Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA.
Journal of Neurosurgery
|September 2, 1998
Summary
Intracranial hypotension can cause severe neurological symptoms, including encephalopathy and altered consciousness. Recognizing key features like postural headache is crucial for diagnosing this uncommon condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Intracranial hypotension is a condition characterized by low cerebrospinal fluid pressure.
- It can lead to a range of neurological symptoms, often mimicking other disorders.
Observation:
- A case of severe and protracted intracranial hypotension is presented.
- The patient exhibited diffuse encephalopathy and profound depression of consciousness.
Findings:
- This case expands the known clinical spectrum of intracranial hypotension.
- Typical clinical and laboratory findings are outlined.
- Pathophysiological mechanisms are briefly discussed.
Implications:
- Intracranial hypotension requires specific treatments distinct from other neurological diseases.
- The presence of postural headache, pachymeningitis, and descent of midline cerebral structures should prompt diagnosis.