PRINTER'S NO. 154
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
13
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY BLAKE, FONTANA, GREENLEAF, SABATINA, BREWSTER,
TARTAGLIONE, SCAVELLO, HUGHES, WARD, SCHWANK, FOLMER,
SCARNATI, BAKER, ALLOWAY, BROWNE, EICHELBERGER, COSTA,
McGARRIGLE, RAFFERTY, DINNIMAN, WILLIAMS, BOSCOLA,
VULAKOVICH, HAYWOOD, YUDICHAK, FARNESE, AUMENT, LANGERHOLC,
HUTCHINSON, RESCHENTHALER, CORMAN, BARTOLOTTA AND WAGNER,
JANUARY 23, 2017
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, JANUARY 23, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of February 26 through March 4, 2017, as
"Spinal CSF Leak Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, also known as
intracranial hypotension, is a significant, disabling and
underdiagnosed but treatable cause of new-onset headache; and
WHEREAS, CSF bathes and supports the brain and spinal cord;
and
WHEREAS, When the connective tissue known as dura that holds
CSF in around the spinal cord has a hole or tear, the result is
a loss of CSF volume; and
WHEREAS, The most common symptom is a disabling positional
headache that is worse when upright and improved when lying
down; and
WHEREAS, Spinal CSF leaks may cause a wide range of symptoms
and serious complications, including stroke, dementia,
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Parkinsonism, coma and even death; and
WHEREAS, The causes of spinal CSF leaks include those that
arise from trauma or medical procedures as well as those that
occur spontaneously; and
WHEREAS, Diagnosis is often missed or delayed due to low
awareness among health care providers, contributing to
additional suffering; and
WHEREAS, The sensitivity of diagnostic imaging is currently
inadequate to confirm a diagnosis or locate a leak in many
cases, which impacts treatment options and outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Current treatment options are limited to epidural
patching procedures and a range of neurosurgical procedures; and
WHEREAS, The incidence and prevalence of this disorder has
been challenging to study due to underdiagnosis; and
WHEREAS, Funding for research is lacking; and
WHEREAS, Greater awareness and understanding is vital to
ensure the diagnosis, treatment and best possible outcomes for
patients; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of February 26
through March 4, 2017, as "Spinal CSF Leak Awareness Week" in
Pennsylvania and recognize the importance of understanding the
impact of this disorder.
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