Cerebrospinal fluid leak

A cerebrospinal fluid leak occurs when a tear or hole happens in the dura mater, the outermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord.

Symptoms of spinal leaks of cerebrospinal fluid
Symptoms of cerebrospinal fluid leaks include positional headaches, which may be intense. The headaches are worse when upright and get better lying down. "The headache usually is in the back of the head or base of the skull, but can also occur in the front, sides or all over the head. It is rarely on just one side of the head, and often is described as a 'pulling sensation' from the head to the neck. The severity of the headache can range from mild to very severe and disabling."

Causes
Leaks can occur after lumbar punctures, epidurals, and surgery. They can also happen spontaneously. Risk factors for spontaneous (idiopathic) leaks as well as leaks following procedures include connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Diagnosis
According to the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation, spinal imaging to aid diagnosis of CSF leaks includes: spinal MRI, MR mylegram, intracathecal gadolinium enhanced spinal MRI, CT myelogram, dynamic CT myelogram, digital subtraction myelogram, and radioisotope cisternogram.