ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the clinical features of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) headache. Methods Thirty-six cases with SIH headache who were admitted between August 2009 and September 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Twenty-five (69.4%) of 36 cases were female, and 11 cases (30.6%) were male. The age of onset was (39.6 ± 11.9) years. All the cases had headache, among whom 91.7% (33/36) had typical postural headache. The common concomitant symptoms were nausea, vomiting and neck stiffness. The average cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was (45.3 ± 28.6) mmH2O (1 mmH2O=0.009 8 kPa) which in male was (67.4 ± 15.4) mmH2O , and in female was (37.3 ± 28.2) mmH2O, and there was significant difference (P<0.05). The content of CSF protein was (545.6 ± 377.1) mg/L and the level of IgG was (57.4 ± 41.1) mg/L. Seventeen cases showed abnormality on MRI scan, with diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement, subdural hematoma, hyperemia and swelling pituitary. Eleven cases (52.4%, 11/21) showed abnormal on EEG examination, with theta waves and epiletiform waves in bilateral cerebral hemisphere. All cases were cured after conservative treatment, 3 cases relapsed within 1 month and was cured again. Conclusions Typical postural headache, cerebrospinal fluid pressure less than 60 mmH2O, higher levels of CSF protein and IgG, diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement and hyperemia and swelling pituitary on MRI scan are the main features in SIH headache, and this disease has favorable prognosis.