Evaluation And Diagnosis Of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension With Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension, the classic feature of which is orthostatic headache, is most commonly caused by a cerebrospinal fluid leakage at the level of the spinal canal, in most cases at the thoracic level or cervicothoracic junction. Underlying connective tissue disorders, minor trauma, degenerative spinal diseases may play a role in the development of cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Traction on pain-sensitive intracranial and meningeal structures, particularly sensory nerves and bridging veins, may play a role in the development of orthostatic headache. In the case of patient s with classic orthostatic headache, the possibility of spontaneous intracranial hypotension should be considered, and if suspected, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium and additional spine MRI are recommended. Diffilse, non-nodular, intense, thick dural enhancement, subdural effinions, engorgement of cerebral venous sinuses, sagging of the brain are typical features on brain MRI, which, however, remain normal in up to 20 percent of patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Unfortunately, no randomized clinical trials have evaluated the effectiveness of the various treatment strategies and no definitive treatment protocols have been established. In clinical practice, the first-line treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension is conservative (bed rest, caffeine and fluid intake). If conservative therapy is not effective, epidural blood patch, epidural fibrin glue, or surgical repair should be considered.