A CSF leak is an escape of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

Intracranial hypotension

Any tear or hole in the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (dura) can allow the fluid that surrounds those organs to leak.

This fluid is called the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). When it leaks out, the pressure around the brain and spinal cord drops.

Causes of leakage through the dura include:

• Certain head, brain, or spinal surgeries
• Head injury
• Placement of tubes for epidural anesthesia or pain medications
• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)

Sometimes, no cause can be found. This is called a spontaneous CSF leak.

Images

Cerebrospinal fluid leak

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CSF leak Symptoms

Review Date: 09/26/2010
Reviewed By: 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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)