No increased risk of spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak after spinal manipulative therapy: A retrospective cohort study
The present findings suggest chiropractor-administered SMT does not increase the risk of spinal CSF leak in adults with spinal disorders relative to PTE. Although our analysis focused on chiropractor-delivered SMT, the findings could plausibly apply to SMT delivered by other clinician types, warranting further research. Given the overlapping symptoms of CSF leak and musculoskeletal neck pain or headache, clinicians who manage spinal disorders should be aware of this condition.
Authors
- Anthony N. Baumann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4175-3135)
- Collin M. Labak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2338-2155)
- Robert J. Trager (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4714-1076)
- Zachary A. Cupler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5537-9810)
- T. G. Snodgrass
Institutions
- Duke University (US)
- University Hospitals of Cleveland (US)
- VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System (US)
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (US)
- VA Butler Healthcare (US)
- Cleveland Clinic Akron General (US)
- Case Western Reserve University (US)
- Northeast Ohio Medical University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PM&R
- Published
- 2025-12-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.70072
- Primary Topic
- Neurosurgical Procedures and Complications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- National Institutes of Health