Management of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension During Pregnancy: A Case Series

Background.-Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a rare condition resulting from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume depletion, nearly always from spontaneous CSF leaks. CSF pressure in SIH is usually normal; low CSF pressure is found in a substantial minority of patients. SIH is uncommonly described in pregnancy. Case Series.-Five women with SIH during pregnancy have been conservatively treated adopting bed rest and overhydration. After prolonged conservative treatment, only 1 patient showed complete symptoms resolution. A rare SIH complication as cerebral venous thrombosis has been reported in 1 case. All 4 remaining patients had lumbar epidural blood patch (EBP) with symptoms disappearance. Conclusions.-EBP might be proposed to SIH patients also during pregnancy and after a brief period (similar to 10 days) of ineffective conservative treatment, because it could allow faster symptoms improvement and complete recovery. Furthermore, EBP would avoid prolonged bed rest with the risk of SIH severe complications.