[Intracranial hypotension syndrome in a pediatric patient with Marfan syndrome]

An Sist Sanit Navar. 2023 Apr 25;46(1):e1031. doi: 10.23938/ASSN.1031.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Intracranial hypotension syndrome (IHS) is attributed to reduced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure. It may be spontaneous or secondary to a history of trauma or systemic disease. We present the case of an 11-year-old boy, with medical history of Marfan syndrome, with orthostatic headache and persistent vomiting (12 hours) following a fall on the sacrococcygeal region. Magnetic resonance showed extradural fluid collections at dorsal and lumbosacral levels, compatible with CSF leak. The condition was resolved with treatment, but the patient had two new episodes during the follow-up period. Thus, an epidural blood patch was performed two years after the first episode. Although HIS is uncommon in children, it should be suspected in patients with orthostatic headache, particularly if the patient presents a connectivopathy. Few studies have assessed the management of HIS in paediatric age. The case presented here and the reviewed available literature provides further data for these type of cases.

El síndrome de hipotensión intracraneal (SHI) es consecuencia del descenso de la presión de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR), espontáneo o secundario a antecedente traumático o enfermedad sistémica.

Presentamos el caso de un niño de 11 años con cefalea ortostática y vómitos de 12 horas de evolución tras una caída sobre región sacrocoxígea; antecedente de síndrome de Marfan. La resonancia craneomedular mostró colecciones líquidas extradurales a nivel dorsal y lumbosacro compatibles con fístula de LCR. El cuadro se resolvió tras tratamiento, pero hubo dos nuevos episodios durante el seguimiento, por lo que se aplicó un parche hemático epidural a los dos años del inicio.

Aunque el SHI es infrecuente en niños, debe sospecharse ante pacientes con cefalea ortostática, especialmente si existe patología favorecedora como enfermedades del tejido conectivo. Existe poca evidencia sobre el manejo en edad pediátrica, por lo que se presenta este caso y se realiza una revisión de la literatura.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / complications
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / therapy
  • Child
  • Headache / therapy
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hypotension* / complications
  • Intracranial Hypotension* / therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Marfan Syndrome* / complications