Low CSF Pressure

[DJP70]

My wife has had a headache on and off now for over 2 months.  The headache can last for up to 36 hours.  My wife is 43 and has never suffered from headaches.  The headaches are accompanied by a severe stiff neck and pressure behind the eyes.  On Monday 1/28/08, her neurologist ordered a lumbar pucture.  The opening pressure was 2 ml.  She was admitted and had numerous MRI's done with and without contrast.  The scans were all clear.  On Thursday the 31st the hospital neurology team ordered another LP thinking that the previous LP must have been done incorrectly.  It confirmed low/no pressure.  She has been on bedrest and hydration IV for almost a week with some improvement.  She now only feels slight pressure in the neck area when she walks around.  It is my understanding that spontaneous CSF leaks do not generally heal themselves.  This has been going on now for 2 months.

Should the hospital do a radioactive CT and try to locate the leak prior to releasing her?
Should I as her husband insist?
Should I be concerned about her contracting menigitis (meningitis) with an active leak?

All comments/questions encouraged.  Thank you.

[DJP70]

Does anyone know of a way to check CSF pressure without having to do a LP?

[patsy10]

My pressure was very low as well.  So low, they couldn't get spinal fluid to send to the lab so the radiologist had to withdrawal it slowly with a syringe.  He got 5cc in 1.5 hours.  Boy did I get a spinal headache.  Anyway, I found out later I have a Chiari 1 malformation.  It shows up on MRI.  I don't know if it caused the low pressure or not thought.  It is mild.  I have heard a CINE MRI can be done to look a spinal fluid flow.  I don't know much about it though.  Someone had it done and posted here.  You may want to google it.