Dural ectasia and intracranial hypotension in Marfan syndrome

Rev Chil Pediatr. 2020 Aug;91(4):591-596. doi: 10.32641/rchped.v91i4.1233. Epub 2020 Sep 11.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant, multi-systemic connective tissue di sorder of different presentations. Dural ectasia is a common, but little known complication that can be associated with intracranial hypotension syndrome (IHS).

Objective: To present a case of severe headache secondary to IHS in order to warn about this rare complication, which must be considered in children carriers of connective tissue diseases, especially Marfan syndrome.

Clinical case: 13-year- old female carrier of Marfan syndrome, clinically diagnosed according to the 2010 Ghent criteria, who consulted due to a 6-months history of severe orthostatic headache. Head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple signs of intracranial hypotension, while whole-spine MRI showed dural ectasia that caused the thecal sac dilation and subsequent remodeling of vertebral bodies, es pecially the sacral ones. Treatment with an autologous epidural blood patch was administered with good clinical response.

Conclusions: Dural ectasia, frequent in Marfan syndrome, is a predisposing cause of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, which could cause orthostatic headache secondary to IHS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / diagnostic imaging
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / etiology
  • Dura Mater / diagnostic imaging
  • Dura Mater / pathology*
  • Female
  • Headache / diagnostic imaging
  • Headache / etiology*
  • Headache / pathology
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hypotension / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Hypotension / etiology*
  • Intracranial Hypotension / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Marfan Syndrome / complications*