Fact 14. The Evolving Landscape of CSFL Management
The penultimate fact about CSFL concerns its management strategies. Over the years, our understanding of CSFL has evolved, and so have the strategies for managing it. Current management approaches for CSFL are multidimensional, encompassing conservative measures, interventional procedures, and surgery.
Conservative management is often the first line of treatment for CSFL. This can include bed rest, hydration, caffeine intake, and pain management. The idea is to reduce CSF production, improve symptoms, and allow the leak to seal spontaneously.
If conservative measures are ineffective, epidural blood patches may be considered. This procedure involves injecting a small amount of the patient’s blood near the site of the leak. The blood clot that forms acts as a patch, helping to seal the leak. (14)
