Leaking Spinal Fluid

[palacepet]

Can prolonged spinal fluid leaking lead to brain damage. And, if the care of the leaking fluid was handled in an unclean manner, such as changing dressing over the leaking fluid without sterilized gloves cause bacterial meningitis?

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

You are absolutely correct. The cerebro-spinal fluid provides nutrition to the brain tissue, and also acts as a safety cushion. And if proper antiseptic precautions are not taken, there are chances of infection spreading up the meninges.

Regards

[samanthad]

My sister just had her baby and they messed up her epidural and now she has spinal fluid leaking and is having headaches it has been a week or two so how ould you fix that?

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

I would think of a blood patch. And I would like to treat any infection. If she has fever and other symptoms of infection, I would give her antibiotics.

She should rest for a couple of weeks. After every seven days, her blood patch should be checked for any leakage.

All the best. Hops the baby's doing well.

Regards

[bella3385]

i had recently had a baby about 6 months ago and i just found out i have alot of irregular fluid on my spine....the doc tried several times to but this epidural in my back and it was very painful.....i'm going to see an neurologist tomorrow....what do you think this can possibily be? epidural fluid? i have heard many people talk about this before but have not had any responses from anyone

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Can you describe the "irregular fluid on spine" a bit more? Is it something you can feel on touch or is there a swelling, too? I can think of the possibility of a hematoma formation or fluid collection at the local site.

I guess you must have visited the neurologist already. How did it go?

[Daughter91]

My mom had surgery for trigemenal neuralgia.  SHe had SEVERE headaches for the first couple of weeks and now has had LOTS of spinal fluid leaking, for over a week.  Dr. redid stiches stopped for about a day, with severe headaches.  Now leaking ALOT again. She is taking antibotics.  Is this enough??  THey said we have to wait and see what happens.  She changed her pillow 4 times last night, finally just putting a towel over the pillow and going to sleep.  I think we need another opinion on this matter!