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History Of CSF Leaks, Had Surgery. Suffer From Headache And Neck Pain. Need To Go To Doctor?

I have a history of spontaneous CSF leaks ans have had multiple surgeries to repair. My doctor always says before I leave," If you get a fever and a bad headache/neck ache to go to the ER. For the last 24 hrs, I have had a debilitating headache and neckache. Both head and neck are throbbing but worse upon standing, upon sitting and even just trying to turn my head. My neck is very stiff. I have no fever. Should I be concerned?
Fri, 19 Apr 2013
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Neurologist,  's  Response
Hi,



Thank you for posting your query.



Presence of fever along with headache could mean meningitis (brain fever). However, since you do not have fever, the chance of the current episode being due to meningitis is very low.



However, worsening of headache on standing could be suggestive of low pressure headache, which is caused by CSF leak, among other causes. So, you should meet your surgeon once again to exclude that possibility.



Please get back if you require any additional information.



Best wishes,



Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)

Senior Consultant Neurologist

Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,

My personal URL on this website: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar

My email: drsudhirkumar@yahoo.com
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History Of CSF Leaks, Had Surgery. Suffer From Headache And Neck Pain. Need To Go To Doctor?

Hi, Thank you for posting your query. Presence of fever along with headache could mean meningitis (brain fever). However, since you do not have fever, the chance of the current episode being due to meningitis is very low. However, worsening of headache on standing could be suggestive of low pressure headache, which is caused by CSF leak, among other causes. So, you should meet your surgeon once again to exclude that possibility. Please get back if you require any additional information. Best wishes, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) Senior Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, My personal URL on this website: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My email: drsudhirkumar@yahoo.com