After Lori first sought help from a neurologist for her headaches, it took five years before she finally received a proper diagnosis. Lori’s story has features in common with many who suffer with spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. She endured years of...
Audrey shares the story of her spinal CSF leak from a labor epidural gone wrong. Can you imagine coming home to your husband and five-year-old son with your newborn son AND a severe headache when upright? Imagine trying to take care of your family when being upright...
This is Chiari Awareness Month. What is Chiari malformation? In Chiari malformation, the cerebellar tonsils (part of brain) are displaced downwards below the opening at the base of the skull. Up to 3 mm of descent is considered within normal limits; 3-6 mm of descent...
The initial treatment of spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks does not require localization of the CSF leak with spinal imaging, since one or more non-directed epidural blood patches are often effective. In those situations where conservative measures or...
Numerous authors have reported on impaired cognition in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension secondary to spinal CSF leaks. The effects on cognition can range from subtle to severe. There are reported cases of severe impairment mimicking dementia. These...
NEUROENDOCRINE COMPLICATIONS from low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume and pressure (intracranial hypotension) from spinal CSF leaks have been seen but have not been well studied to date. The brain (hypothalamus and pituitary) is where most hormone function is...
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM effects from low CSF volume and pressure secondary to spinal CSF leaks are seen. Some symptoms may or may not be directly related to the low CSF volume and pressure but are very frequently reported: - cognitive dysfunction (concentration,...
SPINAL MANIFESTATIONS of spinal CSF (cerebrospinal) leaks occur with variable frequency. Common: - pain or tightness between shoulder blades - arm pain or numbness (from traction on cervical nerve roots) Less common: - local back pain at level of CSF leak - pain,...
Intracranial hypotension (low cerebrospinal fluid volume and pressure) from a spinal CSF leak is increasingly recognized as a cause of SUBDURAL FLUID OR BLOOD COLLECTIONS. The subdural space is just under the dural layer of the meninges, the connective tissue that...
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...
Beyond the headache that we discussed yesterday, additional symptoms occur very frequently in patients with spinal CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leaking that are associated with IRRITATION OF THE MENINGES (connective tissue layers that hold CSF around the brain and spinal...
Each day this week, we’ll discuss some of the neurological symptoms and complications related to spinal CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leaking. Be sure to check back with us every day. Today we discuss the most common symptom: HEADACHE. The loss of CSF volume results in a...