The role of digital subtraction myelography in the diagnosis and localization of spontaneous spinal CSF leaks.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of our study was to review the clinical utility of digital subtraction myelography for the diagnosis of spinal CSF leaks in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and those with superficial siderosis.


METHODS
Procedure logs from 2007 to 2011 were reviewed to identify cases in which digital subtraction myelography was performed to diagnose spinal CSF leaks. Electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain information regarding diagnosis and outcome. For patients to be included in the study, preprocedural spinal MRI had to show an extradural fluid collection spanning more than one vertebral level and postmyelographic CT had to confirm the presence of an active CSF leak. If digital subtraction myelography successfully showed the site of the CSF leak, the location was documented.


RESULTS
Eleven patients (seven men and four women; mean age, 49.0 years) underwent digital subtraction myelography during the study period. Six patients had SIH and five patients had superficial siderosis. The extradural fluid collection on spinal MRI averaged a length of 15.5 vertebral levels. Digital subtraction myelography successfully showed the site of the CSF leak in nine of the 11 patients, and all of the dural tears were located in the thoracic spine between T3 and T11.


CONCLUSIONS
Digital subtraction myelography is a valuable diagnostic tool for the localization of rapid spinal CSF leaks and should be considered in patients who are clinically suspected to have a dural tear that is accompanied by a longitudinally extensive extradural fluid collection on spinal MRI.
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA. Hoxworth.Joseph@mayo.edu
Joseph M
JM
Hoxworth
Terrence L
TL
Trentman
Amy L
AL
Kotsenas
Kent R
KR
Thielen
Kent D
KD
Nelson
David W
DW
Dodick
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D065634:Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019585:Intracranial Hypotension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography / Q000379:methods; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D013382:Subtraction Technique