title: Headache and spontaneous low cerebrospinal fluid pressure syndrome.
abstract: We examined 59 consecutive patients presenting between 1993 and 2006 at our centre diagnosed with headache associated with spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome (SIH). Thirty-six (61%) patients were women; the mean age was 47 years (range 20-68). Cerebral MRI with contrast confirmed SIH in all patients. Headache characteristics were obtained by direct semistructured interview; in a minority of cases information was completed retrospectively through a phone call. All SIH patients suffered from headache. Early recognition of SIH may avoid dangerous worsening due to delayed diagnosis. Orthostatic headache, the main symptom, suggests the diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, I-20133, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mea
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savoiardo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chiapparini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Casucci
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bonavita
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bussone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015170:Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D019585:Intracranial Hypotension / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013353:Subdural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013355:Subdural Space / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000175:diagnosis