Saif Ali Khan had spinal fluid leakage post attack: Know what it is and how is it treated

Actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked on Thursday morning at his residence by an intruder. In the scuffle that happened in the early hours of Thursday, Khan was stabbed with a knife. Khan was taken to the hospital with a 2.5-inch knife lodged into his spine which had caused spinal fluid leakage.
The actor underwent surgery where doctors removed the knife from his spine and repaired the spinal fluid leakage.

“Mr Saif Ali Khan was admitted to Lilavati Hospital at 2 am with a reported history of assault by an unknown individual. He sustained severe injuries to the thoracic spinal cord, with a knife lodged in the spine. Emergency surgery was performed to remove the knife and repair the leaking spinal fluid,” Dr Dange was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
While fans and followers of the actor are concerned about his health, doctors at Lilavati hospital have issued a statement saying the actor’s condition is stable right now. As per the latest information received from one of the doctors of Lilavati Hospital, the medical team will decide on when to shift Saif from the ICU to the general ward shortly after discussing with the actor’s family, ANI reported.

How serious is spinal fluid leakage?

Spinal fluid leakage, also known as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, occurs when there is a tear or hole in the dura mater—the tough outer membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord, escapes through this defect. This condition can occur spontaneously or as a result of trauma, surgery, or medical procedures like spinal taps or epidurals. CSF leaks can happen in the spine (spinal CSF leak) or around the brain (cranial CSF leak).

The severity of a CSF leak depends on its location, cause, and duration. One of the hallmark symptoms of a CSF leak is a positional headache that worsens when standing and improves when lying down. Other symptoms include nausea, neck stiffness, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and, in cranial cases, clear fluid draining from the nose or ears.
Usually, epidural blood patch, a minimally invasive process, is used to treat spinal fluid leaks. In this a small amount of the patient’s own blood is injected into the epidural space near the leak. The blood forms a clot, sealing the tear and restoring the cerebrospinal fluid pressure.