Intracranial hypotension: a case of spontaneous arachnoid rupture in a parturient.

INTRACRANIAL hypotension is an important cause of new daily persistent postural headaches. Among the causes of intracranial hypotension, many cases are due to spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, often associated with an underlying generalized connective tissue disorder. Intracranial hypotension may also be due to dural puncture after epidural catheter positioning. Most cases of intracranial hypotension are believed to be self-limiting, and initial treatment is based on antiinflammatory drugs, bed rest, and hydration. In some patients, persistent symptoms are present; for them, available treatment options include epidural blood patching, percutaneous fibrin sealant placement, and surgical repair of the underlying CSF leak. We report a case of intracranial hypotension due to spontaneous arachnoid rupture in a parturient woman during the effort of delivery.