csf leaks

[barbiebanker]

Since 2002, I have hade six surgeries to repair my spontaneous csf leak. My surgeries have been a right craniotomy, trans-sphenoidal surgery, trans-sphenoidal sugery and lumbar shunt, lumbar shunt repair, right craniotomy, and for the sixth surgery two weeks ago, completely filling up my sphenoid sinus. The bad news is that I am leaking again and filling up with air on the right side of my brain. l don't know if I can go through another surgery, any thoughts?

[Concerned Gal]

Where is the location of your leak? Were they ever able to pinpoint the exact site, either through CT Myelogram or MRI?

[barbiebanker]

Yes they are able to see the opening clearly. I have had a total of four ct cisternagrams. The leak is coming from my temporal lobe. Tomorrow I meet with my neurosurgeon and will see what he has to offer. Are you healthy or do you also suffer from a csf leak?

[Concerned Gal]

Mmm, tough one. I haven't read much about treatment options when the leak in actually in the head. I guess finding it is half the battle though. Let me know what your neurosurgeon says.

I have a csf in the thoracic spine. the myelogram showed fluid collecting from T1 -T12 but too much to indicate exactly where the site of leak is. I've had 3 blood patches (1 thoracic three weeks ago). I have had a bit of relief from this last blood patch, so i'm just starting to try and do things again (10 months after initial symptoms) and will see how it goes.