Chronic intracranial hypotension.
Acute intracranial hypotension can occur following lumbar puncture or a fall, and sometimes spontaneously. Most cases resolve within weeks or months but some require surgical repair of the defect causing leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It is conceivable that such leaks could become chronic if the defect is incompletely sealed. We report the case of a 49-year-old male who presented with a 10-month history of headache associated with a leaking thoracic extradural arachnoid cyst. After this was repaired he reported relief not only of his recent headaches but also of chronic alcohol-related headaches. A long-standing anaemia resolved and tinnitus hyperacusis improved. It is suggested that an injury 30 years before may have initiated the leak of CSF resulting in chronic intracranial hypotension.
Mackenzie
R A
RA
Institute of Neurological Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, High Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia.
Lethlean
A K
AK
Shnier
R
R
Blum
P W
PW