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Spontaneous intracranial hypotension presenting to the ENT surgeon: case report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 October 2008

S Street ,
P Fagan  and
J Roche
S Street*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrissant, Wales, UK
P Fagan
Affiliation:
Department of Otoneurosurgery and Skull Base Surgery, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
J Roche
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Imaging, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Sara Street, ENT Department, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Ynysmaerdy, Llantrisant CF72 8XR, Wales, UK. Fax: 01443 443304 E-mail: sarastreet@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Objective:

To highlight a case of spontaneous intracranial hypotension presenting to the ENT surgeon.

Method:

We present a case report and a review of the literature concerning spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

Results:

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a rare diagnosis, particularly to the ENT surgeon. We report a patient with tinnitus, hearing loss and headache, symptoms suggestive of an ENT diagnosis such as Ménière's disease or vestibular schwannoma. However, magnetic resonance imaging revealed the characteristic findings of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. The patient's symptoms resolved, except for a mild residual tinnitus, with conservative management alone.

Conclusion:

This case highlights the importance of considering spontaneous intracranial hypotension as a differential diagnosis of certain ENT symptoms.

Keywords

Spontaneous Intracranial HypotensionAcoustic NeuromaMeniere's DiseaseHeadacheTinnitus
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 7 , July 2009 , pp. 804 - 806
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

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