PRINTER'S NO. 2961
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
671
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY READSHAW, CARROLL, O'NEILL, PASHINSKI, KORTZ,
SCHLOSSBERG, DiGIROLAMO, FREEMAN, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA,
DEASY, J. McNEILL, NEILSON, HENNESSEY, WARD, KINSEY, HILL-
EVANS, THOMAS, TOOHIL, DUSH, SONNEY, DOWLING, LONGIETTI,
YOUNGBLOOD, CHARLTON, KULIK, KIRKLAND, MILLARD, MURT,
MARSICO, DeLUCA, SCHWEYER AND RYAN, JANUARY 31, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JANUARY 31, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of March 4 through 10, 2018, 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 House of Representatives designate the
week of March 4 through 10, 2018, as "Spinal CSF Leak Awareness
Week" in Pennsylvania and recognize the importance of
understanding the impact of this disorder.
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