title: Spontaneous CSF leaks: underlying disorder of connective tissue.
abstract: Of 58 consecutive patients with spontaneous CSF leaks, nine exhibited features of connective tissue disorder. One had Marfan's syndrome. Five additional patients had hyperflexible joints, of whom four had arachnodactyly, four were tall and slender, two had hyperextensible skin, and one had a strong family history of abdominal aorta aneurysms. Retinal detachment at a young age was noted in two. One patient had bilateral carotid dissections. A dural weakness may predispose patients to spontaneous CSF leak.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. bmokri@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Bahram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mokri
authors.forename: Cormac O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.forename: Drahomira
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sencakova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020215:Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D015170:Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure; D002648:Child; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019585:Intracranial Hypotension; D007593:Joint Instability; D008297:Male; D008578:Meninges / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged