CSF leak

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Cerebrospinal fluid leak

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

CSF leak

Definition:

CSF leak is an escape of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, from the cavities within the brain, or from the central canal in the spinal cord.

Alternative Names:

Intracranial hypotension

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The dura is the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and contains the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A tear in the dura may occur under the following circumstances:

Spontaneously
After surgery:
- Spinal
- Sinus
- Brain
- Head
After penetrating head trauma.

CSF leak can also be caused by a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) or by epidural placement of catheters for anesthesia or pain medications.

Review Date: 8/1/2004
Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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