Test your spinal CSF leak knowledge!
All throughout the week, in partnership with Spinal CSF Leak Canada and the CSF Leak Association, we’ve been sharing FACTS and FICTIONS about spinal CSF leak. Our second entry of the week is:
FACT OR FICTION?
Spinal CSF leak is ALWAYS characterized by an orthostatic headache (head pain that worsens upon standing).
FICTION!
This is not universally the case. Some patients do not present with positional headache at all, and for those who do, the positional aspect often diminishes with time. In addition, not all positional headaches are due to spinal CSF leak.
Further reading
Kathy had a spinal CSF leak but never experienced orthostatic head pain.
See also our discussion of head pain and other symptoms from this year’s Brain Awareness Week.