“After several failed attempts to locate the leak and treat the condition in hospitals in Norway, my attention turned to treatment abroad, and the Universitätsklinikum Freiburg stood out as the best alternative.”
Hakon Paulsen, 47 years old, Norway
Diagnosis: spontaneous intracranial hypotension, CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leak
Hakon Paulsen was leading a busy and fulfilling life when, in July 2021, he began experiencing a series of severe and unusual symptoms that he had never encountered before. Read on to learn about his experience and treatment journey.
"On July 2, 2021, I was suddenly struck with severe headaches, hearing issues, partial hearing loss, tinnitus in all frequencies, a stiff neck and back. The only thing that seemed to bring some relief was lying still in a dark room.
I clearly remember the exact date, not only because the symptoms were so severe, but also because I had had my first Covid vaccination the day before, and I associated the symptoms with the after-effects of the vaccine. But the symptoms did not go away, and after two months I was diagnosed with Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension (SIH) due to a leak from a tear in the dura mater, one of the membranes that surrounds the brain and central nervous system.
I was relieved to have a diagnosis, and living in a country with a well-respected health service, I believed I was only a short treatment away from being cured. But I quickly learnt that when it comes to a rare disease, hospitals in small countries will lack the experience to treat it because the number of cases will be relatively low. After several failed attempts to locate the leak and treat the condition in hospitals in Norway, my attention turned to treatment abroad, and the Universitätsklinikum Freiburg stood out as the best alternative.
The entire process of contacting and communicating with International Medical Services Department was very easy and effective, and I finally met doctors who understood my condition and could provide a plan and prognosis for treatment! The day after I was admitted to the Neurocenter, imaging was done, and the leak was promptly identified during a very gentle myelography performed by Dr. Lützen. During my stay, I also had the opportunity to consult with Prof. Dr. Beck, Dr. Volz, Dr. El Rahal, and Dr. Fung, whose expertise and understanding of my condition were far beyond anything I had encountered at home.
Two years after the surgery, I’m still not entirely back to where I was before the CSF leak occurred, but I can move freely again and have regained most aspects of my life. I’m incredibly grateful for the treatment I received from the SIH team at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg."