Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension Treated with a Targeted CT-Guided Epidural Blood Patch

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension complicated by unilateral subdural hematoma, coma, and the rare Kernohan's notch phenomenon

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a highly underdiagnosed condition with a wide range of manifestations. Although SIH has traditionally been viewed as having a benign disease course, recent evidence suggests otherwise. In this case report, we present a 71-year-old woman who was previously treated with a tapered dose of corticosteroids for an episode of SIH with behavioral manifestations. In this current report, we present her second episode which was complicated by a unilateral sub-acute subdural hematoma leading to loss of consciousness and coma. While the patient regained full consciousness and recovered considerably, she still suffers from ipsilateral hemiparesis as a result of Kernohan's notch phenomenon 2 years post-hospitalization. To the author's knowledge, this is the first case to involve persistent motor deficit after the resolution of SIH. We believe that surgical hematoma evacuation prior to addressing the cerebrospinal fluid leak may have contributed to aggregated downward displacement of the brain precipitating Kernohan's notch phenomenon.

Thunderclap headache revealing dural tears with symptomatic intracranial hypotension: Report of two cases

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is considered the cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), an important etiology for new daily persistent headaches and a potentially life-threatening condition. Minor traumatic events rarely lead to CSF leakage, contrasting with iatrogenic interventions such as a lumbar puncture or spinal surgery, which are commonly complicated by dural tears. Most meningeal lesions are found in the cervicothoracic region, followed by the thoracic region, and rarely in the lumbar region, and extremely rarely in the sacral region. We describe two patients admitted to our hospital for severe headaches aggravated in the orthostatic position, with a recent history of minor trauma and sustained physical effort, respectively. In the first case, a bone fragment pierced an incidental congenital meningocele creating a dural fistula. An extensive extradural CSF collection, spanning the cervicothoracic region (C4-T10), was described in the second case. In both patients, the clinical evolution was favorable under conservative treatment.

Epidural blood patch for spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH): a report of two cases

One of the latest diagnoses that need to be considered when evaluating patients with persistent headache is spontaneous (postural) intracranial hypotension (SIH). The diagnosis can be clinched by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of subdural collections, meningeal enhancement and tonsillar descent. Cerebrospinal fluid leak has been postulated as the cause, and both medical and surgical treatment options have been documented. The treatment of choice is, however, an epidural blood patch. Here we discuss two cases of SIH treated successfully with epidural blood patch.

Surgical Management of Symptomatic Boxing-Induced Spinal Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak After Failed Epidural Blood Patch

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is an increasingly recognized condition responsible for spontaneous intracranial hypotension. A host of connective tissue disorders and mechanical factors may precipitate the condition. Conservative treatment has limited efficacy, and many patients with persistent symptoms ultimately require epidural blood patch (EBP). However, about 23%-44% of patients experience recurrence of symptoms after EBP. Unidentified or multiple sites of CSF leaks are thought to be responsible for the failure of EBP. Using our previously published technique, we treated a patient who developed a large spontaneous CSF leak in her cervicothoracic spine after a boxing class, offering further evidence of the utility of the technique for select patients.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 28-year-old woman was referred to our center with recurrent, severe headaches and associated nausea and vomiting. She underwent EBP 3 times with no resolution of her symptoms. A right-side partial C7-T1 hemilaminotomy was performed to identify a large meningocele filled with CSF. After dissection, dural sealant was applied using an angled needle with a syringe to buttress the meningocele to allow for normalization of the hydrostatic pressure. At 5-month follow-up, her symptoms have resolved with no headaches and paresthesias in upper limbs.

CONCLUSIONS

Commonplace events, such as a boxing/sparring class, may precipitate a spontaneous spinal CSF leak. Our minimally invasive surgical approach can be safely used in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension with recurrent symptoms, no identified leak site, and prior failed attempts of EBP.

In vivo images of the epidural space with two- and three-dimensional optical coherence tomography in a porcine model

Background

No reports exist concerning in vivo optical coherence tomography visualization of the epidural space and the blood patch process in the epidural space. In this study, we produced real-time two-dimensional and reconstructed three-dimensional images of the epidural space by using optical coherence tomography in a porcine model. We also aimed to produce three-dimensional optical coherence tomography images of the dura puncture and blood patch process.

Methods

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional optical coherence tomography images were obtained using a swept source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT) system. Four laboratory pigs were intubated and ventilated after the induction of general anesthesia. An 18-gauge Tuohy needle was used as a tunnel for the optical coherence tomography probe to the epidural space. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstruction optical coherence tomography images of the epidural space were acquired in four stages.

Results

In stage 1, real-time two-dimensional and reconstructed three-dimensional optical coherence tomography of the lumbar and thoracic epidural space were successfully acquired. In stage 2, the epidural catheter in the epidural space was successfully traced in the 3D optical coherence tomography images. In stage 3, water injection and lumbar puncture were successfully monitored in all study animals. In stage 4, 10 mL of fresh blood was injected into the epidural space and two-dimensional and three-dimensional optical coherence tomography images were successfully acquired.

Conclusions

These animal experiments suggest the potential capability of using an optical coherence tomography-based imaging needle in the directed two-dimensional and three-dimensional visualization of the epidural space. More investigations involving humans are required before optical coherence tomography can be recommended for routine use. However, three-dimensional optical coherence tomography may provide a novel, minimally invasive, and safe way to observe the spinal epidural space, epidural catheter, lumbar puncture hole, and blood patch.