Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a condition caused by non-iatrogenic spinal CSF leaks that classically presents with orthostatic headaches. These headaches, in conjunction with other presenting symptoms such as nausea, diplopia, tinnitus, and cognitive deficits, often result in profound disability. SIH is considerably underreported due to pervasive misdiagnosis. Thus, while the estimated annual incidence is reported to be 5 in 100,000, the actual number is likely considerably greater.
The current standard-of-care treatment for SIH cases that are refractory to conservative measures (i.e. bed rest and hydration) is percutaneous epidural blood patching (EBP) of the spinal CSF leak. Percutaneous EBP can be performed in several ways: 1) with or without imaging guidance, 2) targeted to a site of known or suspected CSF leak or non-targeted, and 3) with or without the addition of fibrin glue sealant.
The leading theory for the mechanism behind percutaneous EBP treatment of SIH is that it creates a durable seal of the CSF leak resulting in normalization of CSF hydrodynamics and a resultant diminution in symptoms. Fibrin glue, a sealant used for treatment of unintended durotomies during neurosurgery, is thought to improve the likelihood of a successful patch over patches containing blood alone. Therefore, imaging-guided targeted delivery of patching material containing both blood and fibrin glue directly to the site of CSF leak, a novel therapy, is presumed to be the optimal therapy. For this reason, this procedure has become standard-of-care at many tertiary-care institutions over the past several years.
Our group has extensive experience with CT fluoroscopy-guided targeted blood and fibrin glue patching of proven CSF leaks in SIH patients. However, significant uncertainty remains with regard to the efficacy of this procedure due to a paucity of outcomes data and the absence of any prospective RCTs. In fact, nearly all of the current evidence for the treatment of SIH is found in the form of retrospective chart reviews. Given the growing recognition of SIH, the fact that a known subset of patients will have spontaneous resolution of symptoms, and the absence of clear evidence to guide treatment, there is a critical need to evaluate the efficacy of targeted patching with blood and fibrin glue with a prospective RCT. Fulfilling this unmet need forms the basis for this proposal. While determining the efficacy of the other types of EBPs is also important, we aim to begin by evaluating the efficacy of the presumed optimal therapy.
