Symptoms related to CRANIAL NERVE DYSFUNCTION occur. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves that can be affected by the descent of the brain caused by spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Some cranial nerves are affected more commonly than others.
Here we list some of the symptoms reported and the associated cranial nerves:
– visual blurring; visual field defects [2nd cranial nerve]
– diplopia (double vision) [3rd, 4th and 6th cranial nerves]
– hearing changes (phonophobia, muffled hearing, tinnitus) [8th cranial nerve, another mechanism may be changes in fluid levels in inner ear]
– facial numbness or pain [5th cranial nerve]
– facial weakness or paralysis [7th cranial nerve]
– sense of imbalance; unsteady gait [8th cranial nerve; other mechanisms also]
– dizziness; vertigo [8th cranial nerve; also pressure changes in inner ear fluid]
– changes in sense of taste [1st, 7th or 9th cranial nerves]
– pain in throat or palate [9th cranial nerve]
– changes in sense of smell [1st cranial nerve]
– dry mouth [7th or 9th cranial nerve]