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OtherSpine Imaging and Spine image–Guided Interventions
Open Access

Perspectives from the Inaugural “Spinal CSF Leak: Bridging the Gap” Conference: A Convergence of Clinical and Patient Expertise

Andrew L. Callen, Samantha L. Pisani Petrucci, Peter Lennarson, Marius Birlea, Jennifer MacKenzie, Andrea J. Buchanan and the “Spinal CSF Leak: Bridging the Gap” Study Group
American Journal of Neuroradiology July 2024, 45 (7) 841-849; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A8181
Andrew L. Callen
aFrom the Department of Radiology (A.L.C., S.P.P.), Neuroradiology Section, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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Samantha L. Pisani Petrucci
aFrom the Department of Radiology (A.L.C., S.P.P.), Neuroradiology Section, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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Peter Lennarson
bDepartment of Neurosurgery (P.L.), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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Marius Birlea
cDepartment of Neurology (M.B.), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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Jennifer MacKenzie
dSpinal CSF Leak Foundation (J.M., A.B.), Spokane, Washington.
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Andrea J. Buchanan
dSpinal CSF Leak Foundation (J.M., A.B.), Spokane, Washington.
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  • FIG 1.
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    FIG 1.

    Normalization of MR imaging findings across time despite persistent spinal CSF leaks. A, Sagittal T1 noncontrast MR imaging in 2018 demonstrates sagging of posterior fossa structures (bracket), engorgement of the pituitary gland, and narrowed suprasellar distance (arrow). B, Axial FLAIR MR imaging in 2018 demonstrates a diffuse, thin subdural collection (arrows). Sagittal (C) and axial (D) T2 MR imaging of the cervical spine in 2018 shows a cervicothoracic ventral epidural fluid collection (arrows). The patient underwent a dorsal nontargeted epidural blood patch in 2018 with partial relief of symptoms. E, Sagittal T1 noncontrast MR imaging in 2023 demonstrates resolution of brain sag, pituitary engorgement, and narrowing of the suprasellar interval. F, Axial FLAIR MR imaging in 2023 with resolution of the subdural collection. Sagittal (G) and axial (H) T2 MR imaging of the cervical spine in 2023 shows persistence of the cervicothoracic ventral epidural fluid collection. I. Intraoperative photograph later in 2023, with a ventral dural defect identified at T2–T3 (arrows). After repair, the patient had substantial symptom improvement, with the Headache Impact Test score improving from 68 to 48 (Headache Impact Test: range, 36–78).

  • FIG 2.
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    FIG 2.

    Brain MR imaging findings incorrectly reported as normal in a patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension. A, Sagittal T1 postcontrast MR imaging demonstrates mild narrowing of the suprasellar (1 mm, dotted arrow), mamillopontine (4.8 mm, dashed arrow), and prepontine (3 mm, solid arrow) distances. B, No pachymeningeal thickening or subdural collection on axial T1 postcontrast MR imaging. C, Left-lateral decubitus dynamic CTM detected a CVF arising from the left T7–8 neural foramen (arrow).

  • FIG 3.
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    FIG 3.

    The Bern score. A, Sagittal T1 noncontrast MR imaging demonstrating the suprasellar interval (solid line, normal, >4 mm), mamillopontine interval (dotted line, normal, >6.5 mm), and prepontine interval (dashed line, normal, >5 mm). B, Sagittal T1 postcontrast MR imaging illustrates a normal flat appearance of the upward margin of the transverse sinus (arrow). C, Coronal FLAIR MR imaging with bilateral subdural fluid collections (arrows). D, Sagittal T1 postcontrast image demonstrates abnormal venous engorgement evidenced by an abnormal convex upward margin (solid arrow), as well as diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement (dotted arrows). The presence of a narrowed suprasellar interval, venous engorgement, or pachymeningeal enhancement are ascribed 2 points each, while a narrowed mamillopontine interval, prepontine interval, or the presence of subdural collections are ascribed 1 point each. A combined score of ≤2 equates to low probability, a score of 3 or 4 equates to moderate probability, and a score of ≥5 equates to high probability of localizing a CSF leak or venous fistula on subsequent myelography.20

  • FIG 4.
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    FIG 4.

    A 35-year-old man with spontaneous intracranial hypotension who underwent 2 prior nontargeted dorsal epidural blood patches. Sagittal (A) and axial (B) T2-weighted MR imaging sequences demonstrate a ventral epidural fluid collection (arrows). C, Prone dynamic CTM detected contrast extravasating from the subarachnoid into the ventral epidural space at T1-2, consistent with a ventral dural defect (arrow). D, Procedural image from a CT-guided epidural blood and fibrin patch using a 15-cm 22-ga spinal needle via a far-lateral transforaminal approach to target the ventral epidural space adjacent to the defect (arrow). Postinjection sagittal (E) and axial (F) images demonstrate spread of injected blood and fibrin glue along the ventral epidural space (arrows). Posttreatment sagittal T2 (G) and axial 3D T2 fat-saturated MR imaging (H) with resolution of the epidural fluid collection.

  • FIG 5.
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    FIG 5.

    A 49-year-old man with a history of spontaneous intracranial hypotension, with persistent symptoms after 3 epidural blood patches. A, Axial SWI with hypointense signal along the cerebellar folia (arrows), consistent with superficial siderosis, a rare complication of chronic CSF leak. B, Axial T2-weighted MR imaging demonstrates a ventral epidural fluid collection (arrows). C, Axial noncontrast CT image shows a small osteophyte (arrows) along the ventral canal at T6–7. D, Prone dynamic CTM demonstrates extravasation of contrast from the subarachnoid space into the ventral epidural space at T6–7 (arrows), consistent with a ventral dural defect. E, Intraoperative photograph during repair of the ventral dural defect (arrows) at T6–7, accessed via hemilaminectomy, posterior durotomy, and lateral mobilization of the cord after dentate ligament resection .

Tables

  • Figures
  • Differential diagnoses in patients presenting with SCSFL

    Overlap with SCSFLKey Differences from SCSFL
    Chronic migraineHeadache as primary clinical presentation
    • Often evolves from less-frequent to more-frequent episodes

    • Less typically orthostatic

    • Often occur in the morning, rather than worsening throughout the day

    Postconcussion headacheBoth can be precipitated by trauma
    • Headache phenotype like migraine

    • Typically nonorthostatic

    • Associated cognitive issues

    Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndromeOrthostatic symptoms
    • Defined by changes in hemodynamic parameters on standing

    • If headache associated, more often migraine-like

    • Neck stiffness less common

    Chiari I malformationCerebellar tonsillar ectopia may be present in both conditions
    • Brain MR imaging should not demonstrate downward herniation of posterior fossa structures, pituitary/venous engorgement, or pachymeningeal enhancement

    • Orthostatic headache less common

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American Journal of Neuroradiology: 45 (7)
American Journal of Neuroradiology
Vol. 45, Issue 7
1 Jul 2024
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Andrew L. Callen, Samantha L. Pisani Petrucci, Peter Lennarson, Marius Birlea, Jennifer MacKenzie, Andrea J. Buchanan, the “Spinal CSF Leak: Bridging the Gap” Study Group
Perspectives from the Inaugural “Spinal CSF Leak: Bridging the Gap” Conference: A Convergence of Clinical and Patient Expertise
American Journal of Neuroradiology Jul 2024, 45 (7) 841-849; DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A8181

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“Spinal CSF Leak: Bridging the Gap” Conference“Spinal CSF Leak: Bridging the Gap” Conference
Andrew L. Callen, Samantha L. Pisani Petrucci, Peter Lennarson, Marius Birlea, Jennifer MacKenzie, Andrea J. Buchanan, the “Spinal CSF Leak: Bridging the Gap” Study Group
American Journal of Neuroradiology Jul 2024, 45 (7) 841-849; DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A8181
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