A Young Male with Recurrent Dizziness that is Caused by Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension

A Young Male with Recurrent Dizziness that is Caused by Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension

Dizziness is a common clinical complaint and encompasses a wide range of diverse and complex diseases. This case involves a 25-year-old man who experienced repeated dizziness following a car accident. He sought medical treatment several times but his symptoms were not relieved. He was admitted to hospital due to dizziness, diplopia and blurred vision.
A medical history showed that the dizziness began after a traumatic car accident. The symptoms were induced by a standing posture and are alleviated by lying down.
A neurological examination showed abnormal cerebellar function and a brain MRI was arranged to rule out acute infarction and hemorrhage. The patient reported dizziness and symptoms of cerebellar ataxia so a lumbar puncture was performed to rule out cerebellitis. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure was profoundly low. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a cerebrospinal fluid leak at the 12th thoracic vertebra. The patient was diagnosed with intracranial hypotension syndrome and treated using an epidural blood patch, which was successful. The chronological relationship between dizziness and trauma history and posture-induced symptoms were pivotal diagnostic clues. It is hoped that this case raises colleagues’awareness of this disease.