[Spontaneous low cerebospinal fluid pressure syndrome. A case report and literature review]

Abstract

Introduction: Spontaneous low cerebrospinal fluid pressure syndrome is a spontaneous intracranial hypotension pressure due to a cerebrospinal fluid leak without any known dural effraction. It is clinically characterised by postural headaches relieved by supine position. We report a 38-year-old patient with this syndrome and review the literature.

Exegesis: The diagnosis is sometimes difficult in atypical presentation of the syndrome and can lead to incapacitating chronic headache and rarely to complications. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging has dramatically improved identification, diagnosis and management of this syndrome. Treatment is mainly based on blood patch realisation. Cerebrospinal fluid leak probably due to a spontaneous defect in the dural mater is suspected to be the main mechanism of this syndrome without any history of lumbar puncture or penetrating trauma.

Conclusion: Early diagnosis, often easy on the basis of clinical characteristics of the headache may avoid complications.