Delayed cerebral venous thrombosis in a patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (original) (raw)

Headache and intracranial hypotension: neuroradiological findings

Neurological Sciences, 2004

The cardinal and classic features of postural headache and low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure in intracranial hypotension may not dominate the clinical picture of the syndrome and may be associated with additional various neurological symptoms and signs. Reports of unusual clinical presentations continue to appear in the literature. Despite the considerable variability of the clinical spectrum, neuroradiological studies reveal more constant and characteristic features. Brain MRI findings include intracranial pachymeningeal thickening and post-contrast enhancement, subdural fluid collections and downward displacement or "sagging" of the brain. Spinal MRI findings include collapse of the dural sac with a festooned appearance, intense epidural enhancement owing to dilatation of the epidural venous plexus, and possible epidural fluid collections. In fact, spinal studies may demonstrate CSF leakage from spinal dural defects, which are considered the most common cause of the syndrome. Myelo-MR may suggest the possible point of CSF leakage, by demonstrating an irregular root sleeve; myelo-CT and radioisotope myelocisternography (RMC) are often needed to confirm the point of CSF leakage. Neuroimaging studies are, therefore, essential for suggesting and confirming the diagnosis.

Research Paper: Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension -Not Always Benign

IRJNS Journal, 2021

Background and Aim: Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension (SIH) is a rare cause of headaches. It commonly presents with newly-developed persistent postural headaches and resolves with conservative treatment but rarely becomes a life-threatening disease. We retrospectively reviewed all cases of SIH patients treated in our institution for over ten years. Their clinical and radiological findings and the treatment given were analyzed. Their outcomes were assessed at a minimum of one year of follow-up. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of SIH patients treated in our institution over ten years. Clinicoradiological aspects, as well as the treatment given, were analyzed. The outcome was assessed at a minimum of one year of follow-up. Results: Six cases of SIH were studied. The Mean±SD age of the study population was 41.6±2.87 years. Four cases (66%) were female. The most common symptom was orthostatic headache which was present in all of them. The Mean±SD duration of symptoms before the diagnosis of SIH was 3±1.78 months. Four cases were managed conservatively, while one patient was managed with surgery and the other with epidural patch repair. The exact site of the leak could be delineated in 2 cases (33%). Two patients who were managed invasively for Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) the leak had a subdural hematoma. All patients had a favorable outcome at one year of follow-up. Conclusion: Prompt and early identification of changes in symptom pattern and the onset of subdural hematoma are essential markers of shifting to definitive management rather than continuing conservative measures. Subdural hematoma, secondary to SIH, warrants evacuation if it causes clinical deterioration.

Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: Atypical Radiologic Appearances, Imaging Mimickers, and Clinical Look-Alikes

American Journal of Neuroradiology, 2020

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a condition characterized by low CSF volume secondary to leakage through a dural defect with no identifiable cause. Patients classically present with orthostatic headaches, but this symptom is not specific to spontaneous intracranial hypotension, and initial misdiagnosis is common. The most prominent features of spontaneous intracranial hypotension on intracranial MR imaging include "brain sag" and diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement, but these characteristics can be seen in several other conditions. Understanding the clinical and imaging features of spontaneous intracranial hypotension and its mimickers will lead to more prompt and accurate diagnoses. Here we discuss conditions that mimic the radiologic and clinical presentation of spontaneous intracranial hypotension as well as other disorders that CSF leaks can imitate. ABBREVIATIONS: IgG4 ¼ immunoglobulin G4; POTS ¼ postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; SIH ¼ spontaneous intracranial hypotension; SS ¼ superficial siderosis

Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension Syndrome: AnUnknown and Benign Condition

2020

Background: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is considered to be an uncommon disease caused by cerebrospinal fluid leakage. It is characterized by an orthostatic headache without history in the past of trauma or dural puncture. There is no consensus about level, volume and number of epidural blood patch (EBP) for SIH treatment in literature. Methods: Our objective was to report a 38-year-old woman with SIH at two different levels (lumbar and cervical) as demonstrated by spine MRI and SPECT CT, treated by single lumbar low-volume EBP. Results: The patient achieved good symptoms relief, with complete remission of headache, nausea and vomits. Besides, no complications occurred as consequence of the procedure and the discharged happened two days afterwards. Conclusion: In spite of low volume used in the blood patch and of the existence of another CSF leak in a distant site, it is possible to obtain good results and at same time, to minimize complications due to higher blood vo...

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension: a case series and literature review

Folia Neuropathologica, 2023

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a condition of negative intracranial pressure resulting from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage from the dural sac and is a well-known cause of orthostatic headache. Diagnosis and management can be difficult, often requiring coordination between multiple disciplines. Low CSF pressure and diffuse meningeal enhancement on brain MRI are the major instrumental features of the classic syndrome. Neuroimaging plays a key role in diagnosing SIH, particularly in atypical clinical presentations, by recognizing the specific findings of brain sagging on MRI and detecting the level of CSF leak on spinal imaging, thus guiding therapy accordingly. Since SIH could present with such a heterogeneous clinical picture, careful history taking and increased awareness of atypical presentations are of utmost importance. We review the existing SIH literature, illustrate management, clinical and neuroimaging findings of four consecutive patients with atypical SIH, who were recently referred to our hospital for evaluation to simplify and streamline the management of SIH.

Case report: spontaneous intracranial hypotension in association with the presence of a false localizing C1-C2 cerebrospinal fluid leak

Surgical neurology, 2008

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is an increasingly recognized cause of new-onset, daily, persistent headaches. Although these headaches are similar to post-lumbar puncture headaches, characteristic differences include intracranial pachymeningeal enhancement, subdural fluid collections, and downward displacement of the brain. The identification of upper cervical epidural fluid collections as a false localizing sign in patients with SIH has provided significant insight into the selection of management options. We review a case of a 57-year-old woman who presented to our institution with progressive orthostatic headaches relieved by recumbency. The patient had no recent history of lumbar puncture, spinal, or intracranial procedure. The patient isolated the onset of symptoms to 3 weeks prior, when she was lifting heavy items in her home, and was diagnosed with SIH. Subsequently, she was found to have a C1-C2 epidural fluid collection. After much diagnostic consideration and review ...