Work

Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension in Pregnancy with Aggravated Comorbidity: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic and Management Challenges

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background and Clinical Significance: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a rare cause of headache characterised by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, with an estimated incidence of 3.7 to 5 cases per 100,000 per year, peaking around the age of 40 years. Its diagnosis and management are particularly challenging in pregnancy due to overlapping symptoms and limited diagnostic options. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 42-year-old pregnant woman at 14 weeks of gestation presenting with a history of orthostatic headache and facial sinus tenderness, later diagnosed as spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Conclusions: Headache is a common clinical symptom that may be associated with a wide spectrum of underlying conditions, ranging from benign causes such as migraine or tension-type headache to potentially life-threatening pathologies, including subarachnoid haemorrhage. This case illustrates the diagnostic complexity of SIH in pregnancy and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and vigilance for neurological symptoms during pregnancy.

Source: Reports — Medical Cases Images and Videos

DOI: 10.3390/reports8040231

Authors: Taruna Agrawal, Jhia Jiat Teh, Konstantinos S. Kechagias, Zak Jefferson-Pillai, Kanwaljeet Kaur Sandhu, Sarah-Jane Lam

Institutions: Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hillingdon Hospital, Imperial College London

Language: English

Topic: Neurosurgical Procedures and Complications

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,689