Causes of CSF Leak

• Some brain or spinal surgeries;
• Major trauma head and spinal injuries;
• Minor trauma, such as a sneeze, a violent cough or twist;
• Placement of tubes for spinal and epidural anaesthesia or pain medications;
• Lumbar punctures (also known as spinal taps) and lumbar drains;
• Shunts inserted for hydrocephalus and similar conditions; and
• Underlying connective tissue disorders, such as the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD).

Sometimes no cause can be found or identified, but a spinal CSF leak is nonetheless suspected. This is known as a Spontaneous CSF leak or Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension (sometimes abbreviated to SIH).

• Some head or brain surgeries;
• Major trauma and head injuries;
• Minor trauma, such as a sneeze or a violent cough;
• Defects in the skull, including the skull base and in/around the sinuses;
• Shunts inserted for hydrocephalus and similar conditions; and
• Underlying and untreated intracranial hypertension (excessive intracranial pressure).

Sometimes no cause can be found or identified, but a cranial CSF leak is nonetheless suspected. This is known as a Spontaneous CSF Leak.

Last reviewed: 2021