AN INTERESTING CAUSE OF INTRACRANIAL HYPOTENSION-CASE REPORT

Intracranial hypotension is a frequently misdiagnosed syndrome of headache caused by reduced intracranial cerebro spinal fluid(CSF) pressure. The cause of the hypotension may be due to CSF leak or may be spontaneous without any apparent cause. The syndrome is characterized by headache, vomiting, dizziness, diplopia, facial numbness, all of which are orthostatic in nature. We report a case of a young woman with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, who developed postural headache and convulsions following a lumbo peritoneal shunt procedure, with MRI features suggestive of intracranial hypotension. Patient improved with bed rest and hydration. Intracranial hypotension due to overdrainage, should be thought of whenever patient develops headache after placement of a non programmable shunt. We report this case to highlight the importance of recognizing intracranial hypotension as a cause of headache, while managing idiopathic intracranial hypertension with shunt procedures.