What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Headache Attributed to Increased CSF Pressure
• Headache due to Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure
• Headache due to Increased CSF Pressure

What is Headache Attributed to Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure? (Definition/Background Information)

• Headache Attributed to Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Pressure is a headache disorder that occurs secondary to elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The condition may be accompanied by other signs and symptoms depending on the underlying cause of CSF pressure increase
• The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the colorless fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). Any increase in CSF pressure can result in brain and spinal cord injury and can be potentially life-threatening. The pressure of the CSF may be determined via lumbar puncture procedures
• There are many conditions that can cause increased intracranial pressure such as:
  • Aneurysmal rupture
  • Brain infections such as meningitis and encephalitis
  • Brain stroke
  • Brain tumor
  • Epidural or subdural hematoma
  • Head injury
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Seizures
• The cerebrospinal fluid has an important role to play in effective functioning of the brain. It regulates the flow of blood within the brain, acts as a protective buffer around the brain by absorbing any external force or shock and serves as an immunological barrier against any disease or infection
• There are four subtypes of Headache Attributed to Increased CSF Pressure, namely:
  • Headache Attributed to Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
  • Headache Attributed to Intracranial Hypertension Secondary to Metabolic, Toxic or Hormonal Cause
  • Headache Attributed to Intracranial Hypertension Secondary to Chromosomal Disorder
  • Headache Attributed to Intracranial Hypertension Secondary to Hydrocephalus
• By definition, in Headache Attributed to Increased CSF Pressure, a new headache may develop, or an existing primary headache worsen significantly, due to the increase in intracranial CSF pressure. The headache is also known to reduce in severity on lowering of the CSF pressure

The criteria for diagnosis of Headache Attributed to Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Pressure as outlined by the International Headache Society (IHS) is given below:

• Intracranial hypertension has been diagnosed, with both of the following:
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure exceeds 250 mm CSF (or 280 mm CSF in obese children)
  • Normal CSF composition
• New headache, or a significant worsening of a pre-existing headache, fulfilling criterion below
• Evidence of causation demonstrated by at least two of the following:
  • Headache has developed in temporal relation to the intracranial hypertension, or led to its discovery
  • Headache is relieved by reducing the intracranial hypertension
  • Papilledema
• Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis

(Source: International Headache Society Classification ICHD-3, London, United Kingdom)