Hospital Virtual Tour

CSF leak - Symptom

Alternative Names

Intracranial hypotension

Symptoms:

Symptoms may include:

A headache that is worse when you sit up and improves when you lay down
Drainage from the ear (rarely)
Runny nose

Signs and tests:

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

Tests may include:

Injection of a radioisotope in the spinal fluid to track the leakage
MRI
X-ray with contrast dye

Cerebrospinal fluid leak

Reviewed last on: 9/22/2008
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

Heegaard WG, Biros MH. Head. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 38.

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.

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)