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Symptoms of Spinal Fluid Leakage From Back Surgery

The cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) surrounds the brain and spinal cord. When the dura (membrane that surrounds the fluid) tears, fluid can leak out. Several things, including spinal surgeries, can trigger a leak, causing several symptoms.

  1. External Leakage

    • CSF fluid can leak out of your ears and nose. Ear leakage is much rarer.

    Headache

    • You might experience a headache that intensifies when sitting up, but that improves when lying down or placing your head down towards your chest.

    Ear Problems

    • A CSF leak might cause ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing problems.

    Nerve Problems

    • Nerve pain or radicular pain, might strike the upper limbs. Numbness, weakness and tingling typically accompany this pain.

    Other Symptoms

    • Other possible symptoms of CSF leakage include facial numbness, blurred vision and nausea.

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