HomeAnswersNeurosurgerycsfWhen will the headache due to CSF leakage subside?

My wife experiences a terrible headache after having a drain for CSF leak. Kindly help.

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Vinodhini J.

Published At December 5, 2020
Reviewed AtJanuary 23, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My wife went to a routine check MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) on the spine and found a lesion 14 x 12 mm, intraspinal, intradural focal lesion opposite L2 vertebral body with intense post-contrast enhancement suggestive of a neurogenic tumor. Doctors advised surgery, so we did surgery last week. After surgery, all her mobility was good, but the doctor suspected a CSF leak and installed epidural drainage, and advised 48 hours no movement bed rest. The drain was a lot the first two days, around 5.07 - 6.76 fl. oz per day, but my wife's overall condition was good. I think out of concern for the amount of drain. The doctor prescribed Diamox 1000 mg per day. After that, the drain starts to produce 0.3 - 0.6 fl oz per day. My wife has massive headaches all day long, even with pain killers (Paracetamol, Ketorolac, and Tramadol). We try to visit the bathroom two times a day for two minutes, but she gets super dizzy and massive headaches. We have to put her to bed immediately. It has been six days since the surgery without any improvements. Is the doctor's plan correct? Should we wait on Diamox until the wound heals and the drain stop? Can I blame the doctor for failure to close the dura and put us through all these sufferings? When can we stop Diamox or remove the drainage? How serious is my wife's case now? Is this normal, or shall I worry? How long will it take for headaches to go away? And when will she be able to stand without feeling heavy in the head and dizziness?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

This is the usual plan in such type of cases. Headache is due to a leak of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid), causing low pressure in the head. The leak of CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) is a well-known risk factor associated with any intradural spinal surgery, so the doctor is not at fault. Once there is adequate time given to heal. The doctor will suggest when to remove it. There is no exact time when it will be removed. There is nothing serious. Do not worry at all. The only thing you need to take care is to keep the drainage site untouched and unsoiled as it can cause infection. Headache will reduce once the drain is out. Before getting up from bed clamp/close the drainage tube just for a while and open immediately after coming back to bed. This can prevent severe headaches.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Solanki Chirag Natwarbhai
Dr. Solanki Chirag Natwarbhai

Neurosurgery

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