Abstract:

Objective: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is caused by spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid leaks due to dural tear. In this study, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of spontaneous intracranial hypotension are summarized. Matherials and Methods: The incidence has been estimated at 2-5/100.000 with a peak in fourth decade. Women are affected more commonly than men. Mechanical factors combined with an underlying connective tissue disorder cause cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Results: The typical clinical finding is the postural headache. The cardinal findings of magnetic resonance imaging include enhancement of the pachymeninges, engorgement of venous structures, subdural effusion-hematome, pituitary hyperemia and sagging of the brain. Radionuclide systernography, CT myelography, MR-myelography are the studies to investigate the spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak. Treatments include conservative (total bed rest), epidural blood patching and surgical treatment of cerebrospinal fluid leak. The increasing number of patients are diagnosed with spontaneous intracranial hypotension recently which is reversible if treated early while delayed diagnosis may cause serious neurological complications.

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