CSF Leak Diagnosis and Treatment

Henry Ford Health is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), a condition caused by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage from the spine. SIH is primarily characterized by headaches that worsen when upright and improve when lying down.

In addition to headaches, patients with this condition often experience symptoms such as a sense of pressure, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), changes in vision or hearing, dizziness, memory difficulties, and personality changes.

Advancing the treatment of CSF leak

In recent years, our understanding of SIH has advanced significantly. It was once believed that SIH could only be diagnosed through an abnormal brain MRI, but we now know that some patients with normal brain MRIs may still have a CSF leak. Furthermore, a specific type of leak, known as a CSF-venous fistula (CVF), was identified only in 2014 and requires specialized testing, such as dynamic myelography, for accurate diagnosis.

A multi-disciplinary approach to diagnose and repair CSF leak

The experts at Henry Ford Health are committed to providing exceptional, patient-centered care through a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach. Our dedicated CSF team includes a fellowship-trained neuroradiologist with expertise in CSF leaks, along with radiologists, neurologists and neurosurgeons to offer the latest diagnostic techniques and treatment options for this complex condition.

What to expect from our CSF treatment process

Once we receive your imaging and clinical records, our team will carefully review them. Based on your case, one of our coordinators will reach out to schedule a consultation with one of our neurologists or neuroradiologists for further evaluation.

After your initial assessment, your case will be discussed at our weekly multidisciplinary conference, where a team of neurologists, neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons will collaborate to determine a consensus on your diagnosis and treatment plan. Our nurse coordinator will then contact you to arrange your visit, provide pre-procedure instructions and address any questions you may have.

How to request a CSF leak consult and evaluation

To request an evaluation, your physician must send a referral by email to CSFLeak@hfhs.org. Your case will be reviewed once all necessary imaging and clinical records are available. At this time, we are unable to accept self-referrals.

Required imaging prior to review:

• MRI brain with contrast
• MRI of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine

All patients must complete these imaging requirements before their records can be reviewed and care can be established with Henry Ford Health.