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CSF leak - Symptom

Alternative Names

Intracranial hypotension

Symptoms:

Symptoms may include:

  • A headache that is worse when you sit up and improves when you lie down. It may be associated with:
    • Light sensitivity
    • Nausea
    • Neck stiffness
  • Drainage of CSF from the ear (rarely)
  • Drainage of CSF from the nose (rarely)

Signs and tests:

Diagnosis is usually based on your history of injury, surgery, or lumbar puncture.

Tests may include:

  • Reviewed last on: 9/26/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Biros MH, Heegaard WG. Head injury. In: Marx J, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 38.

DeAngelis LM. Tumors of the central nervous system and intracranial hypertension and hypotension. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 199.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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