Spontaneous intracranial hypotension: key features for a frequently misdiagnosed disorder.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a rare neurological condition caused by low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume, most commonly due to a CSF leak. The most common presenting symptom is an orthostatic headache, but some patients may present with atypical neurological manifestations such as cranial nerve palsies, an altered mental status, and movement disorders, which complicate the clinical diagnosis. Therefore, the diagnosis is based on the combination of clinical signs and symptoms, neuroimaging, and/or a low cerebrospinal fluid pressure. In this review, we describe the wide variety of neurological manifestations and complications seen in patients with SIH as well as the most common features described on imaging studies, including both subjective and objective measurements, in order to lead the clinician to a correct diagnosis. The prompt and correct management of patients with SIH will help prevent the development of life-threatening complications, such as subdural hematomas, cerebral venous thrombosis, and coma, and avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.

Acute subdural hematoma recurrence during drain removal associated with spontaneous intracranial hypotension - A non-reported complication.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is an uncommon, benign, and generally self-limiting condition caused by low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume and pressure usually caused by a CSF leak. Patients with SIH have an increased incidence of subdural hematomas (SDH), which may be bilateral and recurrent. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a unique case of a man presenting with SIH and bilateral SDH that were drained with bilateral craniotomies. During drain removal, the patient had an acute neurological deterioration and a CT scan showed SDH recurrence. The patient had two new recurrent SDH afterwards. After the third surgical intervention, the drain was removed in the OR with concomitant subdural saline infusion, there was no recurrence of SDH after that and the patient has had no further complications after a 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Patients with intracranial hypotension are predisposed to form SDH. In this case, drain removal caused further decrease in intracranial pressure and triggered a new SDH formation, subdural saline irrigation masked atmospheric pressure and prevented this complication from happening again.