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Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with spontaneous low intracranial pressure (SIH).Methods:The study is a retrospective series. The clinical data of patients with SIH who visited Beijing Hospital from May 2017 to March 2022, including gender, age, symptoms, signs, imaging findings, treatment and outcome, were collected and their clinical characteristics were analyzed.Results:Finally, 8 patients with SIH, 6 females and 2 males, aged (33.5±7.3) years, were included. There were 6 cases of acute onset, 1 case of subacute onset, and 1 case of chronic onset. Four cases had pre-onset triggers, 3 cases were exertional and 1 case was exercise. All 8 cases had orthostatic headache. Three cases were accompanied by neck pain. Six cases were accompanied by autonomic dysfunction, 1 case with blurred vision and neck resistance, and 1 case with tinnitus in both ears. There were no obvious abnormalities in blood routine, liver and kidney function, electrolytes, and coagulation function in 8 cases. The results of the lumbar puncture showed that the cerebrospinal fluid pressure was≤60 mmH 2O(1 mmH 2O=0.009 8 kPa) in 7 cases, and 2 cases were so low that they were undetectable. One patient had normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure (90 mmH 2O). The routine results of cerebrospinal fluid showed 4 cases of an increased number of red blood cells and 2 cases of leukocytosis. The biochemical results of cerebrospinal fluid in all 8 cases were normal. All 8 patients underwent non-contrast MRI scan of the head, and 6 cases found abnormalities, including 2 cases of subdural hematoma, 1 case of subarachnoid hemorrhage, 1 case of brain tissue sinking, and 3 cases of intracranial venous sinus dilation (including 1 case with subdural hematoma). All 8 patients underwent MRI enhancement scan of the head, and 5 patients showed diffuse dural enhancement. Three patients underwent digital subtraction angiography myelogram and computed tomography myelogram, and 2 cases found dural cerebrospinal fluid leakage. One patient underwent magnetic resonance water imaging and no cerebrospinal fluid leakage was found. Eight patients were followed up for 38.5 (10.3, 63.0) months, after conservative treatment, 6 cases of headache relief or disappearance, 1 case relapsed and was admitted 1 week after discharge, non-targeted epidural blood patching (EBP) did not relapse, 1 case underwent non-targeted EBP after conservative treatment failure, headache relief, recurrence after 2 months, thoracic spine 3-4 space targeted EBP, headache disappeared, did not recur. Conclusions:The present study indicate that SIH prevalence in young age is common, the main symptom is orthostatic headache, accommodated with multiple clinical symptoms with various imaging abnormalities. Most patients with SIH can be treated conservatively, if the effect is not good, non-targeted or targeted EBP is feasible.
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OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension(SIH) is a rare condition presented with cardinal postural headache and low CSF pressure. The authors describe the characteristic clinical features, imaging findings, and treatment methods in the patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension. METHODS: Between May 1994 and Aug. 2001, eight patients were diagnosed with spontaneous intracranial hypotension based on characteristic radiologic and clinical findings in our department. All cases were shown diffuse meningeal enhancement(DME) on magnetic resonance(MR) image. Two cases had subdural hematoma. RESULTS: The most characteristic feature on Brain MR image is DME with/without subdural fluid collection. Radionuclide image reveals direct leaking point and rapid appearance of urinary bladder activity. Direct leaking points were detected in all four cases who performed radioisotope study. Autologous epidural blood patches were applied to four cases, and all of them were improved without complication. Among four patients treated with conservative method, three were improved, but one patient was died of spontaneous chronic subdural hematoma. CONCLUSION: We suggest that 1) meticulous studies need to be performed aggressively if SIH is diagnosed clinically and radiologically, 2) the most effective study may be radioisotope study, and 3) if leaking point is found, aggressive management such as autologous epidural blood patches is recommended.