Low CSF Neck pain post LP shunt (shunt removed, only tubes)

[sephiam]

Dear Expert,

I'm a 26 year old post many spinal surgeries. I had a screw from a scoliosis surgery that went through the spinal canal but didn't injure the spinal cord (at least not in neurological aspects, later on i had syrngomelia and other problems).

Nowadays i'm post LP shunt and revision that removed the shunt (the scoliosis surgery trauma has caused my body to generate too much CSF and i had severe IIH) - currently i suspect my body is draining too much CSF when i'm upright - i have severe neck pains (but not low csf headaches for some reason..)

i also have a drain from my spinal cord that drains the syrinx (other than the lumbar one).

I have two questions -

1. What are known ways to raise your CSF pressure?
2. Should i fear a Chiari Malformation and it's complications due to the low CSF & me being upright most of the time?

last csf check showed me at 4 psi CSF..

i'm due to a spinal MRI in 2 weeks.

thank you

[sephiam]

Thanks

[selmaS]

  Yes, it is possible for low or high CSF pressure to cause the tonsils to be low lying...the symptoms and treatment would be the same as for Chiari.....

[sephiam]

I understand that having low csf pressure for a long period of time can create a situation where the brain "falls" into the cavity upper spinal canal and that might cause symptoms similar to chiari.. Is that correct?

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum,

I am sorry, there are no experts here....this is a support forum.

We may have a few other members with a shunt and ICP that may be able to offer insight...

I do not understand ur question regarding low pressure and Chiari....can u expand?