What does low CSF pressure mean?

“Low pressure headache” is a common term that neurologists use for intracranial hypotension. It refers to headache that is caused by low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure in the head due to a loss of CSF volume.

What does a CSF headache feel like?

The headache is generally worse shortly after sitting up or standing and improves relatively quickly when laying down, hence it is often referred to as an “orthostatic” or “postural” headache. The pain can range from mild to severe and can feel more like pressure than pain and be accompanied by a heaviness.

What are the symptoms of low CSF?

The nonheadache manifestations of CSF leak also vary greatly, including but not limited to:

  • Neck or interscapular pain.
  • Tinnitus, change in hearing and dizziness.
  • Nausea and emesis.
  • Gait unsteadiness.
  • Diplopia.
  • Trouble with memory or cognitive function.
  • Movement disorders, such as chorea or parkinsonism.

Can you have low CSF pressure without a leak?

Low CSF pressure without a leak being found, called “spontaneous intracranial hypotension”, is rare, with a yearly incidence of about 5/100,000. These may be dectected from dural enhancement or lumbar puncture. As this is an otoneurology site, we will go into the hearing related symptoms of CSF leaks in more detail.

Can leaking spinal fluid cause headaches?

Spinal headaches are caused by leakage of spinal fluid through a puncture hole in the membrane (dura mater) that surrounds the spinal cord. This leakage decreases the pressure exerted by the spinal fluid on the brain and spinal cord, which leads to a headache.

How do you check for a CSF leak at home?

There are currently no home kits or over the counter testing methods for patients to obtain. If you are concerned about a CSF leak, you should contact your primary physician immediately and see a specialist.

Can CSF leak symptoms come and go?

Patients who have had a CSF leak have described the fluid as having a salty or metallic taste. Dr. Frank P.K. Hsu, chair of the department of neurological surgery at UC Irvine Health, said that the fluid may also “come and go.”

What happens if your CSF gets too low?

When this fluid volume is reduced, there is less fluid available to cushion the brain inside the skull. This loss of CSF causes headache and other neurological signs and symptoms and may result in a range of complications. With upright posture, the loss of CSF volume has a greater effect on the brain.

Can dehydration cause low CSF?

They also noted medical conditions such as dehydration and cerebral arteriosclerosis that can lead to inadequate cerebral blood flow, thereby decreasing CSF secretion in the same manner.

What mimics a CSF leak?

POTS, orthostatic hypotension, cervicogenic headache, vestibular migraine, and prior Chiari decompression surgery are all causes of orthostatic headache that may mimic spinal CSF leak and must be distinguished for patients to receive appropriately directed therapy.

How long can a CSF leak go untreated?

At least 85% of posttraumatic CSF leak cases are of the posttraumatic rhinorrhea and almost all cases of posttraumatic rhinorrhea will stop on their own within 1 week25). However, delayed CSF leakages may rarely occur after a few years19,23).