The domino effect of acephalgic spontaneous intracranial hypotension

Neurol Sci. 2021 Jan;42(1):309-312. doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04755-1. Epub 2020 Sep 29.

Abstract

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension results from a spinal CSF leak and usually presents with orthostatic headache, although acephalgic presentations have anecdotally been reported. The underlying low CSF volume, rarely, leads to serious complications such as cerebral venous thrombosis and coma. We report a patient presenting with cerebral venous thrombosis secondary to acephalgic spontaneous intracranial hypotension. An epidural blood patch was performed; nonetheless, the patient intracracal condition deteriorated to coma and neuroimages showed a deep brain swelling with midbrain distortion, subsequently complicated by intracranial pontine hemorrhage.

Keywords: CSF leak; Cerebral venous thrombosis; Deep brain swelling; Epidural blood patch; Midbrain swelling; Orthostatic headache.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blood Patch, Epidural
  • Headache / therapy
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hypotension* / complications
  • Intracranial Hypotension* / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Thrombosis*
  • Spine