scholarly journals Radioisotope Cisternography: A Potentially Useful Tool for Headache Diagnosis in Patients with an IDD Pump

2014 ◽  
Vol 17;1 (1;17) ◽  
pp. E89-E94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Jose De Andres

Background: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and related headache after intrathecal pump implantation is a possibility. Knowing the exact location of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is mandatory for managing with interventional therapies. Objectives: Radioisotope cisternography (RICG) is a common procedure in nuclear medicine and may be used as an additional procedure in the differential diagnosis of headaches due to intracranial liquor hypotension syndrome caused by microleakage of CSF. Study Design: We report an imaging case of complex chronic headache in a patient with an implanted drug delivery pump. The symptomatology of the patient was considered typical of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). Therefore, the initial suspicion was the loss of CSF due to the implanted pump catheter. The negativity of the routine headache test can exclude any leakage of CSF at the site of catheter insertion. Setting: Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Multidisciplinary Pain Management Department, General University General Hospital, Valencia, Spain. Results: Many patients are treated with implanted intrathecal infusion systems. In these patients, any neurological symptoms are readily attributed to the invasive neuroaxial system, especially severe cephalalgia. RICG was helpful in this particular case to make a diagnosis of exclusion of the diagnosis of SIH due to CSF leakage. Conclusion: RICG may be considered as an additional diagnostic technique in patients with chronic pain and implanted spinal infusion devices for whom standard detection procedures have been exhausted. Key words: Intrathecal drug delivery (IDD), chronic headache (CH), radiosotope cisternography (RICG), cerebrospinal fluid leakage, spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH)

1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. D. Atkinson ◽  
Brian G. Weinshenker ◽  
Gary M. Miller ◽  
David G. Piepgras ◽  
Bahram Mokri

Object. Spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage with development of the intracranial hypotension syndrome and acquired Chiari I malformation due to lumbar spinal CSF diversion procedures have both been well described. However, concomitant presentation of both syndromes has rarely been reported. The object of this paper is to present data in seven cases in which both syndromes were present. Three illustrative cases are reported in detail. Methods. The authors describe seven symptomatic cases of spontaneous spinal CSF leakage with chronic intracranial hypotension syndrome in which magnetic resonance (MR) images depicted dural enhancement, brain sagging, loss of CSF cisterns, and acquired Chiari I malformation. Conclusions. This subtype of intracranial hypotension syndrome probably results from chronic spinal drainage of CSF or high-flow CSF shunting and subsequent loss of brain buoyancy that results in brain settling and herniation of hindbrain structures through the foramen magnum. Of 35 cases of spontaneous spinal CSF leakage identified in the authors' practice over the last decade, MR imaging evidence of acquired Chiari I malformation has been shown in seven. Not to be confused with idiopathic Chiari I malformation, ideal therapy requires recognition of the syndrome and treatment directed to the site of the spinal CSF leak.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Beck ◽  
Christian Fung ◽  
Christian T. Ulrich ◽  
Michael Fiechter ◽  
Jens Fichtner ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVESpinal CSF leakage causes spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). The aim of this study was to characterize CSF dynamics via lumbar infusion testing in patients with and without proven spinal CSF leakage in order to explore possible discriminators for the presence of an open CSF leak.METHODSThis analysis included all patients with suspected SIH who were treated at the authors’ institution between January 2012 and February 2015. The gold standard for “proven” CSF leakage is considered to be extrathecal contrast accumulation after intrathecal contrast injection. To characterize CSF dynamics, the authors performed computerized lumbar infusion testing to measure lumbar pressure at baseline (opening pressure) and at plateau, as well as pulse amplitude, CSF outflow resistance (RCSF), craniospinal elastance, and pressure-volume index.RESULTSThirty-one patients underwent clinical imaging and lumbar infusion testing and were included in the final analysis. A comparison of the 14 patients with proven CSF leakage with the 17 patients without leakage showed a statistically significantly lower lumbar opening pressure (p < 0.001), plateau pressure (p < 0.001), and RCSF (p < 0.001) in the group with leakage. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for an RCSF cutoff of ≤ 5 mm Hg/(ml/min) were 0.86, 1.0, 1.0, and 0.89 (area under the curve of 0.96), respectively. The median pressure-volume index was higher (p = 0.003), and baseline (p = 0.017) and plateau (p < 0.001) pulse amplitudes were lower in patients with a proven leak.CONCLUSIONSLumbar infusion testing captures a distinct pattern of CSF dynamics associated with spinal CSF leakage. RCSF assessed by computerized lumbar infusion testing has an excellent diagnostic accuracy and is more accurate than evaluating the lumbar opening pressure. The authors suggest inclusion of RCSF in the diagnostic criteria for SIH.


Author(s):  
Christoph Gregor Trumm ◽  
Robert Forbrig

AbstractCerebrospinal fluid leakage through meningeal diverticula represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge comparatively rarely encountered in the interdisciplinary management of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). Several false-positive CSF leakage signs may be observed during the imaging work-up of SIH. A 27-year-old female with orthostatic headache showing marked spinal epidural CSF collections and MRI signs of intracranial hypotension underwent a blind and CT-guided epidural blood patch (EBP) of a pathological T9/10 meningeal diverticulum (MD), detected by dynamic CT myelography (dCTM). After initial good imaging and symptomatic improvement, recurrent symptoms and a large left-sided subdural hematoma required neurosurgical MD ligation, with persisting clinical success. The following aspects of this brief report are remarkable: added value of dCTM to synchronously detect true CSF leakage and false-positive CSF leakage signs, near-complete resolution of spinal epidural CSF collections after CT fluoroscopy–guided EBP, interdisciplinary diagnosis, and definite management of CSF leakage through an anomalous MD.


Author(s):  
Emma M. H. Slot ◽  
Kirsten M. van Baarsen ◽  
Eelco W. Hoving ◽  
Nicolaas P. A. Zuithoff ◽  
Tristan P. C van Doormaal

Abstract Background Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a common complication after neurosurgical intervention. It is associated with substantial morbidity and increased healthcare costs. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aim to quantify the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in the pediatric population and identify its risk factors. Methods The authors followed the PRISMA guidelines. The Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane database were searched for studies reporting CSF leakage after intradural cranial surgery in patients up to 18 years old. Meta-analysis of incidences was performed using a generalized linear mixed model. Results Twenty-six articles were included in this systematic review. Data were retrieved of 2929 patients who underwent a total of 3034 intradural cranial surgeries. Surprisingly, only four of the included articles reported their definition of CSF leakage. The overall CSF leakage rate was 4.4% (95% CI 2.6 to 7.3%). The odds of CSF leakage were significantly greater for craniectomy as opposed to craniotomy (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 13.4) and infratentorial as opposed to supratentorial surgery (OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.7 to 20.6). The odds of CSF leakage were significantly lower for duraplasty use versus no duraplasty (OR 0.41 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9). Conclusion The overall CSF leakage rate after intradural cranial surgery in the pediatric population is 4.4%. Risk factors are craniectomy and infratentorial surgery. Duraplasty use is negatively associated with CSF leak. We suggest defining a CSF leak as “leakage of CSF through the skin,” as an unambiguous definition is fundamental for future research.


2012 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 749-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter I. Schievink ◽  
Marc S. Schwartz ◽  
M. Marcel Maya ◽  
Franklin G. Moser ◽  
Todd D. Rozen

Object Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is an important cause of headaches and an underlying spinal CSF leak can be demonstrated in most patients. Whether CSF leaks at the level of the skull base can cause spontaneous intracranial hypotension remains a matter of controversy. The authors' aim was to examine the frequency of skull base CSF leaks as the cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Methods Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were collected from a consecutive group of patients evaluated for spontaneous intracranial hypotension during a 9-year period. Results Among 273 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for spontaneous intracranial hypotension and 42 who did not, not a single instance of CSF leak at the skull base was encountered. Clear nasal drainage was reported by 41 patients, but a diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea could not be established. Four patients underwent exploratory surgery for presumed CSF rhinorrhea. In addition, the authors treated 3 patients who had a postoperative CSF leak at the skull base following the resection of a cerebellopontine angle tumor and developed orthostatic headaches; spinal imaging, however, demonstrated the presence of a spinal source of CSF leakage in all 3 patients. Conclusions There is no evidence for an association between spontaneous intracranial hypotension and CSF leaks at the level of the skull base. Moreover, the authors' study suggests that a spinal source for CSF leakage should even be suspected in patients with orthostatic headaches who have a documented skull base CSF leak.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Fichtner ◽  
Christian T Ulrich ◽  
Christian Fung ◽  
Debora Cipriani ◽  
Jan Gralla ◽  
...  

Objective Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is caused by spinal cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Patients with orthostatic headaches and cerebrospinal fluid leakage show a decrease in optic nerve sheath diameter upon movement from supine to upright position. We hypothesized that the decrease in optic nerve sheath diameter upon gravitational challenge would cease after closure of the leak. Methods We included 29 patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension and refractory symptoms admitted from 2013 to 2016. The systematic workup included: Optic nerve sheath diameter sonography, spinal MRI and dynamic myelography with subsequent CT. Microsurgical sealing of the cerebrospinal fluid leak was the aim in all cases. Results Of 29 patients with a proven cerebrospinal fluid leak, one declined surgery. A single patient was lost to follow-up. In 27 cases, the cerebrospinal fluid leak was successfully sealed by microsurgery. The width of the optic nerve sheath diameter in supine position increased from 5.08 ± 0.66 mm before to 5.36 ± 0.53 mm after surgery ( p = 0.03). Comparing the response of the optic nerve sheath diameter to gravitational challenge, there was a significant change from before (−0.36 ± 0.32 mm) to after surgery (0.00 ± 0.19 mm, p < 0.01). In parallel, spontaneous intracranial hypotension-related symptoms resolved in 26, decreased in one and persisted in a single patient despite recovery of gait. Conclusions The sonographic assessment of the optic nerve sheath diameter with gravitational challenge can distinguish open from closed spinal cerebrospinal fluid fistulas in spontaneous intracranial hypotension patients. A response to the gravitational challenge, that is, no more collapse of the optic nerve sheath while standing up, can be seen after successful treatment and correlates with the resolution of clinical symptoms. Sonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter may be utilized for non-invasive follow-up in spontaneous intracranial hypotension.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. e243179
Author(s):  
Pushpendra Nath Renjen ◽  
Dinesh Mohan Chaudhari ◽  
Nidhi Goyal ◽  
Kamal Ahmed

The most common cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension headache is a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Intracranial hypotension is characterised by diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement on cranial MRI features, low CSF pressure and orthostatic headaches mostly caused by the dural puncture. We report a 31-year-old woman who presented to our services with reports of continuous severe bifrontal headache, which increased on sitting up and resolved on lying down. MRI of the cervical and lumbosacral spine showed signs of CSF leak; hence, patient was diagnosed with spontaneous intracranial hypotension headache. A CT-guided epidural blood patch was done at L4–5 with fibrin glue injected at the site of leak. The patient’s signs and symptoms improved after the procedure.


1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-206
Author(s):  
I. Muras ◽  
A. Scuotto ◽  
M. Maisto ◽  
F.P. Bernini

Postural headache due to low intracranial pressure is a well-known entity and is most commonly encountered following lumbar puncture. It may occur as a consequence of a medical condition (dehydratation, uremia, etc.) but in some cases no precipitating event is apparent and the intracranial hypotension is believed to have developed spontaneously. In such cases the underlying cause of the syndrome is rarely established and treatment is non specific. We describe three patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension examined with MRI of the brain. Women are more commonly affected than men in the third or fourth decades of life. Schaltenbrand (1938) proposed three mechanisms by which spontaneous intracranial hypotension may be explained: diminished CSF production; CSF hyperabsorption, CSF leakage. The defect causing a CSF leak usually remains obscure. Several cases of diffuse meningeal enhancement on MRI have recently been described, probably due to meningeal hyperaemia resulting from the low CSF pressure. Subdural fluid collections have also been detected as a result of rupture of bridging veins due to the decrease in CSF volume and downward displacement of the brain. In our cases, MRI showed a diffuse dural thickening, hyperintense in T2. Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is often a self-limiting disease, responding well to bed rest and a generous intake of oral or parenteral fluid and salt.


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