Cerebrospinal fluid-lymphatic fistula causing spontaneous intracranial hypotension in a child with kaposiform lymphangiomatosis

Abstract

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is an uncommon etiology of secondary headaches in children. We report a unique case of a girl with kaposiform lymphangiomatosis who developed postural headaches and imaging features of spontaneous intracranial hypotension without a spinal extradural collection. The girl underwent dynamic computed tomography myelography which revealed a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-lymphatic fistula related to a lymphatic malformation associated with the right T10 nerve. She underwent surgical ligation of the CSF-lymphatic fistula, resulting in resolution of the headaches. Spinal CSF-lymphatic fistulas are rare and have previously been reported in two patients with Gorham-Stout disease. The current report suggests that patients with systemic lymphatic anomalies who develop postural headaches should undergo evaluation for spontaneous intracranial hypotension and a CSF-lymphatic fistula. If discovered, surgical ligation is a potential treatment.

Keywords: Cerebrospinal fluid; Cerebrospinal fluid leak; Cerebrospinal fluid-lymphatic fistula; Child; Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis; Lymphatic anomaly; Spontaneous intracranial hypotension.