A case of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension Treated with Epidural Blood Patch

ABSTRACT

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension, a syndrome of low CSF pressure, occurs without preceding events such as lumbar puncture, back trauma, operative procedure or medical illness. The most characteristic symptom is a headache that may be severe when the patient is upright and relieved when the patient is recumbent. Associated symptoms include neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting, tinnitus, vertigo and subdural effusion or hematoma. This syndrome usually resolves spontaneously or with strict bed rest. When the headache persists or is incapacitating, more aggressive treatment may be necessary. Autologous epidural blood patch is highly effective in the management of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. We report a case of spontaneous intracranial hypotension successfully treated with epidural blood patch.