Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan recently suffered a severe injury during a robbery attempt at his Bandra residence in Mumbai. The actor was stabbed in the spine by an unidentified assailant in the wee hours of Thursday and is currently undergoing treatment at Lilavati Hospital. Following surgery to repair the damage, doctors revealed that Saif had suffered a serious injury, which led to "leaking spinal fluid."
Dr. Nitin Dange of Lilavati Hospital briefed the media after Saif's successful surgery and stated, "He has suffered major injury in the spinal cord due to a lodged knife in the spine. Surgery was performed to remove the knife and repair the leaking spinal fluid."
This spinal fluid leaking condition, also called a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, occurs when the fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord leaks due to a tear in the dura, the outermost layer surrounding these vital parts. Keep reading as we understand this condition, its symptoms, causes, and treatments.
What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak?
A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurs when the protective fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord leaks out due to a tear in the dura, the outermost layer of the meninges (connective tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord). This clear, protein- and glucose-rich fluid plays a vital role in cushioning the brain and spinal cord, maintaining temperature, and protecting against direct trauma.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, "CSF leaks can often cause severe symptoms, but this condition is very treatable, and up to 98% of people with it will recover."
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) elaborate, "A leak in this system can be detrimental to brain blood supply and function and can increase the risk of direct trauma to brain tissue due to the loss of the fluid cushion."
What causes CSF leak?
A CSF leak can occur due to various reasons, including:
Traumatic injuries, such as Saif’s stabbing incident.
Spinal surgeries or invasive medical procedures.
Spontaneous tears caused by structural abnormalities or increased intracranial pressure.
The condition often shows with symptoms like:
Persistent headache that worsens when standing and improves when lying down.
Nausea and vomiting.
Neck stiffness or pain.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Clear fluid drainage from the nose or ears.
Vision changes, such as blurred or double vision.
CSF leaks are highly treatable, with most patients making a full recovery. Common treatment options include:
Conservative measures: Bed rest, hydration, and avoidance of activities that increase pressure in the brain or spinal cord.
Epidural blood patch: A procedure where a patient’s own blood is injected into the area of the leak to seal the tear. NIH stated, "An epidural blood patch (EBP) is a procedure in which a small volume of autologous blood is injected into a patient's epidural space to stop a leak of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)."
Surgery: In cases like Saif’s, surgery is performed to repair the tear and stop the leak.
Medications: Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medicines are prescribed to manage symptoms and promote healing.
