Spontaneous intracranial hypotension

South Med J. 2002 Nov;95(11):1342-6.

Abstract

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is an increasingly recognized syndrome. Postural headache with typical findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the key to diagnosis. Delay in diagnosing this condition may subject patients to unnecessary procedures and prolong morbidity. We describe a patient with SIH and outline the important clinical and radiographic features of this syndrome. Headache due to SIH is similar to headache occurring after lumbar puncture. Patients with postural headaches should have brain MRI before lumbar puncture. Meningeal abnormalities with typical clinical features are helpful in establishing the diagnosis. When correctly diagnosed, SIH management, in most cases, is easy and highly effective.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hypotension / complications
  • Intracranial Hypotension / diagnosis*
  • Intracranial Hypotension / therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Posture
  • Spinal Puncture