Cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord. When that fluid becomes infected, builds up, or leaks, it can cause serious symptoms and needs prompt, expert attention. Patients seeking care for a CSF infection or other spinal fluid disorder in New York can turn to Long Island Neurosurgical Associates (LINA) for comprehensive evaluation and treatment. Spinal infection and CSF disorders include infections of the fluid or tissues around the brain and spine, abnormal buildup of fluid, and leaks of fluid through a hole or tear in the protective coverings. They can affect adults and children. Our team helps patients and families understand what is causing the problem, how urgent it is, and which treatments are appropriate. Depending on the condition, care may include antibiotics, drainage, a shunt, or surgery to repair a leak or treat an infection.

What Are CSF Infections and Spinal Fluid Disorders?

CSF is a clear fluid made inside the brain that circulates around the brain and spinal cord. A CSF infection, sometimes called a spinal fluid infection, occurs when bacteria or other organisms enter this fluid or the tissues next to it. This can happen after a surgery or procedure, after a head or spine injury, with a device such as a shunt, or when an infection spreads from elsewhere in the body. Other CSF disorders involve the amount or flow of the fluid. Hydrocephalus is a buildup of CSF that can raise pressure inside the head, and it is described further in our guide to pediatric hydrocephalus treatment. A CSF leak occurs when fluid escapes through a defect in the covering of the brain or spinal cord, often causing a headache that is worse when upright. Spinal infections, such as an infection of a disc, the vertebrae, or an abscess near the spinal cord, are closely related and may require surgery as well as long-term antibiotics.

Signs and Symptoms to Look For

Symptoms depend on the condition, but signs that warrant prompt medical attention include:

• Fever with a severe headache or a stiff neck

• Sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, or confusion

• Severe or worsening back or neck pain, especially with fever

• Weakness, numbness, or trouble walking

• A headache that is much worse when sitting or standing and eases when lying down

• Clear fluid draining from the nose, ear, or a surgical incision

• In infants and children, unusual sleepiness, irritability, poor feeding, or a bulging soft spot

A suspected CSF infection is a medical emergency. Fever combined with severe headache, neck stiffness, or new neurological symptoms should be evaluated right away, either in the emergency department or by calling your care team immediately. Patients also seek second opinions from Long Island Neurosurgical Associates. If you already have a diagnosis, a shunt, or a recommendation for surgery and want to understand your options, our team can help.

Evaluation and Diagnosis

Evaluation starts with a neurological exam and a review of your history, including recent surgeries, procedures, injuries, or devices such as a shunt. The specialist will check for fever, neck stiffness, weakness, and changes in thinking or alertness. Testing may include blood tests, an MRI or CT scan of the brain or spine, and in some cases a lumbar puncture, which samples the CSF to look for infection. When a leak is suspected, specialized imaging or fluid testing may be used to find the source. The goal is to identify the cause quickly, because early treatment of an infection protects the brain and spinal cord.

Treatment Options for Patients

Not every patient is treated the same way. The treatment plan is based on:

• Whether an infection is present and what organism is responsible

• The location of the infection or leak

• Whether pressure is building up inside the head or spine

• The presence of a shunt or other implanted device

• The patient’s age, symptoms, and overall health

Bacterial CSF infections are treated urgently with intravenous antibiotics. Surgery is considered when there is an abscess, a device that is infected, a leak that will not heal on its own, or fluid buildup that needs to be diverted. 

Read more at 👍https://lineurosurgery.com/blog/csf-infection-spinal-fluid-disorders-new-york/