Patterns of clinical and imaging presentations in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension due to spinal cerebrospinal fluid venous fistula: A single‐center retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Callen Andrew L. , Han Lichy , Pisani Petrucci Samantha L. , Andonov Nadya , Lennarson Peter , Birlea Marius , O'Brien Chantal , Wilhour Danielle , Anderson Abigail , Bennett Jeffrey L. , Carroll Ian R. 
Published: August 2024

Objective

To identify distinct clinical or imaging subtypes of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) due to spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) venous fistula (CVF).

Background

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is classically understood to present clinically with an orthostatic headache and stereotyped brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings; however, most prior literature examining clinical and brain MRI features of SIH has focused on all types of spinal CSF leaks concurrently. This study aimed to evaluate whether data support the possibility of internally consistent subtypes based on brain imaging features and clinical symptoms analogous to those seen in primary headache syndromes.

Methods

This retrospective cross‐sectional single‐institution study included 48 consecutive patients meeting the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition criteria for SIH due to CVF. Clinical symptoms, pre‐treatment brain MRI, and symptom duration were analyzed. Clinical and MRI data were analyzed to identify patterns and associations between symptoms and imaging findings.

Results

A total of 20 males and 28 females were evaluated, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 61 (10) years. In all, 44/48 (92%) patients experienced headaches, though 18/48 (40%) did not endorse relief when flat, including six of the 48 (13%) with worsening symptoms when flat. In all, 19/48 (40%) patients reported at least one migraine symptom, and six of the 48 (13%) presented with at least one migraine symptom and had no relief when flat. Clinical symptoms clustered primarily into a “classic” presentation consisting of relief when flat, occipital head pain, comorbid neck pain, a pressure/throbbing headache quality, and an “atypical” presentation that was characterized by having several differences: less relief when flat (nine of 22 (41%) vs. 20/23 (87.0%), p = 0.002; odds ratio [OR] 0.110, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.016–0.53), more frontal head pain (14/22 (64%) vs. one of 23 (4%), p < 0.001; OR 35.0, 95% CI 4.2–1681.0), less neck pain (two of 21 (4.5%) vs. nine of 13 (69.6%), p < 0.001; OR 0.023, 95% CI 0.0005–0.196), and more stabbing/sharp headache quality (nine of 22 (41%) vs. two of 23 (9%), p = 0.017; OR 7.0, 95% CI 1.18–75.9). Brain MRI findings clustered into three groups: those presenting with most imaging findings of SIH concurrently, those with brain sag but less pachymeningeal/venous engorgement, and those with pachymeningeal/venous engorgement but less brain sag.

Conclusion

This study highlights the clinical and imaging diversity among patients with SIH due to CVF, challenging the reliance on classic orthostatic headache alone for diagnosis. The findings suggest the existence of distinct SIH subtypes based on clinical and imaging presentations, underscoring the need for comprehensive evaluation in patients with suspected CVF. Future research should further elucidate the relationship between clinical symptoms and imaging findings, aiming to refine diagnostic criteria and enhance understanding of SIH's pathophysiology.