J Korean Radiol Soc.  1997 Sep;37(3):385-391.

Brain MRI Findings of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension

• Park WK
• Byun WM
• Joo YG
• Cho JH
• Cho KH
• Hwang MS
• Park BH
• Lee SJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate brain MRI findings of spontaneous intracranial hypotension.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective review of MRI findings was conducted on six patients with clinically proven spontaneous intracranial hypotension ; no patient had history of previous spinal puncture. Follow-up MRI was available in two patients, and to detect CSF leakage, radionuclide cisternography (n=5), myelography (n=1), and MR myelography (n=1) were performed.
RESULTS
On contrast-enhanced T1WI, diffuse dural enhancement was seen in all cases, subdural hematoma or hygroma was seen in four cases, pituitary gland prominence in four, dural sinus dilatation in four, downward displacement of cerebellar tonsil in two, downward displacement of iter in one, and suprasellar and prepontine cistern effacement in two. In no patient was abnormal CSF leakage found.
CONCLUSION
Although dural enhancement, as seen on MRI, is not specific, diffuse enhancement of dura matter accompanying by subdural hematoma, hygroma, pituitary gland prominence, dural sinus dilatation, downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsil, or suprasellar and prepontine cistern effacement can strongly suggest intracranial hypotension.

Keyword

Brain, MR; Meninges, MR

MeSH Terms

Brain*
Dilatation
Follow-Up Studies
Hematoma, Subdural
Humans
Intracranial Hypotension*
Lymphangioma, Cystic
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Myelography
Palatine Tonsil
Pituitary Gland
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Puncture