Availability, Accessibility, and Utilization of Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension in Asia

Purpose: Recent advances in imaging techniques have significantly enhanced the diagnosis of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). However, these developments have been reported mostly in Europe and the United States. This study aimed to evaluate the availability and utilization of diagnostic and treatment modalities for SIH in Asia, through a survey of regional headache specialists.Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, and members of the Asian Regional Consortium for Headache were contacted. Participants completed a two-step survey evaluating the availability, accessibility, and frequency of SIH diagnostic and treatment methods in their countries and institutions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: Twenty physicians from eight countries completed both rounds of the survey. Lumbar puncture, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and spinal MRI are widely available across Asia, but real-time imaging techniques—such as dynamic computed tomography myelography and digital subtraction myelography—that precisely localize cerebrospinal fluid leaks are less accessible. Blind or semi-targeted epidural blood patches (EBPs) are available at most centers, but are easily accessible in only about half of cases. Surgical interventions are rarely available.Conclusion: Most diagnostic methods for SIH are available in Asia, despite some regional disparities. The utilization of EBP and surgical interventions remains somewhat limited. This highlights the need for greater awareness and standardization of diagnostic methods in Asia.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Headache and Pain Research
Published
2025-06-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.62087/hpr.2025.0005
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Neurosurgical Procedures and Complications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.39
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Availability, Accessibility, and Utilization of Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension in Asia

Mi Ji Lee, Tsubasa Takizawa, Esme Ekizoğlu, Otgonbayar Luvsannorov et al.
1 citations
Headache and Pain Research
Neurosurgical Procedures and Complications
1.39
article

Availability, Accessibility, and Utilization of Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension in Asia

Mi Ji Lee, Tsubasa Takizawa, Esme Ekizoğlu, Otgonbayar Luvsannorov, Min Kyung Chu, Shuu‐Jiun Wang, Takao Takeshima, Ryotaro Ishii, Khang Vinh Nguyen, Soyoun Choi, Shengyuan Yu, Aynur Özge, Mamoru Shibata, Kiratikorn Vongvaivanich, Shih‐Pin Chen, Soo‐Jin Cho, Yen‐Feng Wang, Woo‐Seok Ha, Linda Nguyen, Betül Baykan, Soo-Kyoung Kim, Wei‐Ta Chen, Koichi Hirata
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Purpose: Recent advances in imaging techniques have significantly enhanced the diagnosis of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). However, these developments have been reported mostly in Europe and the United States. This study aimed to evaluate the availability and utilization of diagnostic and treatment modalities for SIH in Asia, through a survey of regional headache specialists.Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, and members of the Asian Regional Consortium for Headache were contacted. Participants completed a two-step survey evaluating the availability, accessibility, and frequency of SIH diagnostic and treatment methods in their countries and institutions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: Twenty physicians from eight countries completed both rounds of the survey. Lumbar puncture, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and spinal MRI are widely available across Asia, but real-time imaging techniques—such as dynamic computed tomography myelography and digital subtraction myelography—that precisely localize cerebrospinal fluid leaks are less accessible. Blind or semi-targeted epidural blood patches (EBPs) are available at most centers, but are easily accessible in only about half of cases. Surgical interventions are rarely available.Conclusion: Most diagnostic methods for SIH are available in Asia, despite some regional disparities. The utilization of EBP and surgical interventions remains somewhat limited. This highlights the need for greater awareness and standardization of diagnostic methods in Asia.

Headache and Pain ResearchVol. 26(2)
Ewha Womans University (KR), Yonsei University (KR), Keio University (JP), Severance Hospital (KR), Bangkok Hospital (TH), Seoul National University Hospital (KR), Chinese PLA General Hospital (CN), Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TW), Mongolian National University (MN), Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (JP), Tominaga hospital (JP), Gyeongsang National University Hospital (KR), Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MN), Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital (JP), University Medical Center HCMC (VN), Hung Vuong Hospital (VN), Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital (KR), Mersin Üniversitesi (TR), Istanbul University (TR), Dokkyo Medical University (JP)
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
Neurosurgical Procedures and Complications
1.39
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.