Fact 3. Causes of CSFL: Tracing the Source of the Leak
The third important aspect to discuss in our journey to understand CSFL is its causes. What causes the cerebrospinal fluid to leak in the first place?
A CSFL can be spontaneous or can be triggered by certain events or conditions. Spontaneous leaks, as the name suggests, occur without any apparent cause.
This type of leak is often linked to an underlying weakness in the dura, the tough outermost layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is also associated with conditions that lead to increased intracranial pressure, like obesity or idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
On the other hand, non-spontaneous leaks usually occur due to a breach in the dura resulting from medical procedures, trauma, or conditions that cause dural erosion. Medical procedures that could potentially lead to CSFL include lumbar puncture (also known as spinal tap), epidural injections, spinal surgery, and brain surgery. Trauma-related leaks could result from a severe head injury, spinal injury, or even certain types of skull base fractures. (3)
