Recurrence of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension with Subdural Hematomas

1 February 1997

journal article
research article
Published by SAGE Publications in Cephalalgia

Vol. 17 (1) , 42-45
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1468-2982.1997.1701042.x

Abstract

A 59-year-old man developed postural headache associated with a low CSF pressure. A CT scan revealed no abnormal findings and the orthostatic symptoms resolved without treatment 6 weeks after onset. He was diagnosed as having spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and remained symptom-free until he experienced recurrence of postural headache 9 months later. A lumbar puncture demonstrated low CSF pressure, and a CT scan revealed slit-like ventricles with narrowing of the sulci, Sylvian fissures, and infratentorial cisterns, in addition to bilateral subdural masses. After draining the hematomas, his symptoms resolved completely, and a follow-up CT scan was normal. We hypothesize that recurrent SIH in this case was due to small recurrent tears of a root sleeve. This case emphasizes the importance of follow-up of SIH for at least 9 months after resolution of symptoms.

Keywords

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