Low Pressure Headache

Sign/Symptoms
Drugs
Our Records are Incomplete for Drugs
Treatments
Attributes
Our Records are Incomplete for Condition Attributes
Further Tests
Our Records are Incomplete for Further Tests

Low Pressure Headache (Spontaneous intracranial hypotension)

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), also known as a spontaneous low CSF (Cerebrospinal fluid) pressure headache, usually presents without any preexisting trauma or known violation of the epidural or thecal space.

Symptoms

The headache is usually orthostatic and related to traction on pain-sensitive intracranial and meningeal structures. The condition is benign and self limited. It may be associated with nausea, vomiting, horizontal diplopia, unsteadiness, vertigo, altered hearing, neck pain/stiffness, interscapular pain, and occasionally visual field cuts.


Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made based on history, exclusion of competing differential diagoses, and the following studies: MRIs with gadolinium may display diffuse patchy meningeal enhacement, "sagging" of the brain, tonsilar descent, and posterior fossa crowding. This condition is associated with low CSF opening pressure on lumbar puncture (normal CSF pressure is at least 60cmH2O).[1]


Treatment

Although conservative management should by attempted, an epidural blood patch should be attempted, as it is the treatment of choice.


Public Discussion

No discussions exist for this condition yet. You can be the first to create one!
GT:0.044