Symptoms of a Spinal CSF Leak

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a syndrome that occurs from a spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak, meaning a leak of CSF from a defect in the dura around the spinal cord. Symptoms often include:

• Headache, especially in the back of the head, that worsens upon standing, or a headache that’s triggered by coughing, sneezing, or exertion
• Pain in the neck or shoulders
• Dizziness/vertigo

• Pulsatile tinnitus (ringing or whooshing in ear)

• Hearing loss
• Nausea
• Visual disturbances
•  Changes in memory, thinking, or behavior (brain fog)

Since some of the symptoms of a CSF leak are non-specific and may be caused by other conditions, it’s important to seek medical care to get an accurate diagnosis.

Once the presence and location of a spinal CSF leak have been confirmed, the neuro-imaging specialist may perform an epidural blood patch or fibrin patch procedure and/or refer the patient to a neurosurgeon with expertise in closing these leaks.

Three types of spinal CSF leaks. Type 1: a bone spur creates a tear in the dura. Type 2: a rupture of an outpouching of dura surrounding a nerve root. Type 3: rupture of the dura with leakage of CSF into an adjacent blood vessel (CSF-venous fistula).