Spinal Fluid Leak
A spinal fluid leak, also known technically as a CSF leak or intracranial hypotension condition, can occur for many reasons and affects many back pain patients who choose surgical interventions as part of their treatment process. Cerebral spinal fluid is the protective liquid which is encased in the dura and surrounds the brain and
spinal cord.
This article focuses on CSF leaks which occur due to
back surgery
and
epidural injection
therapy treatments, as well as
back injuries.
Other forms of spontaneous fluid leaks may occur idiopathically or due to disease processes. Few patients realize that any procedure which punctures the protective membrane around the spinal structures has a fair chance of causing a fluid leak. Few patients also realize the consequences of continuing fluid leaks or the fact that secondary reparative surgery is often needed. What is a Cerebral Spinal Fluid Leak?CSF is produced in the brain at a fast pace. In a normal adult, the amount of CSF produced in a day will be 2.5 to 3 times the total membrane capacity; with excess constantly draining into the venous structures as new is produced. When a significant leak occurs, the volume produced may not be enough to compensate for the amount lost into the body cavity, resulting is potentially serious symptoms. Spinal Fluid Leak SymptomsThe usual symptoms of CFS leaks, regardless of the cause, include any or all of the following:* Severe headache, worse when upright and relieved when reclining. * Dizziness, vertigo and/or nausea. * Numbness or weakness in the facial muscles. * Strange neurological sensations or sensory impairments, including possible symptoms in the ears, eyes, mouth or nose. * In rare cases, severe brain
ischemia
leading to stroke or even death. Spinal Fluid Leak and Back Pain TreatmentThe most common causes of CSF leaks in back pain sufferers include side effects of both epidural injections or back surgery procedures. Epidurals puncture the dura in order to deliver their pain medication to the designated target. In most cases, this puncture heals very fast and causes no ongoing issues. In some patients, the pinhole may not heal and in others, the doctor actually tears the dura sac inserting or removing the needle, leading to a severe leak scenario. I know of many patients who have endured chronic leaks from various back pain injection therapies…The most common source of significant leaks of cerebral spinal fluid is certainly spinal surgery. When the spine is the subject of an invasive procedure, regardless of how minimally invasive it may be, CFS leaks are commonplace. Most will resolve without treatment or with minor professional interventions, but some require secondary surgeries to correct. This is the last hassle a back pain sufferer needs after undergoing the often horrific reality of a spinal operation… Spinal Fluid Leak to Back Pain 4/14/10 Revised 12/1/11 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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