Second Opinion for Initial Assessment of Suspected Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leak
SIH / PDPH Cases – Fee €800
For our patients with suspected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, we provide an interdisciplinary second opinion.
The abbreviations refer to the following conditions:
- SIH = Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension
This condition involves abnormally low pressure inside the skull, most often caused by a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. - PDPH = Post-Dural Puncture Headache / Post-puncture syndrome
Symptoms may occur after puncture of the dura mater (spinal membrane), for example following a lumbar puncture or epidural anesthesia, often as a result of CSF loss.
If you would like to be evaluated and/or treated at our center for suspected spontaneous intracranial hypotension or post-puncture syndrome, an initial paid assessment is obligatory.
After receipt of all required documents, your case will be reviewed and discussed by our interdisciplinary CSF board. You will subsequently receive a brief written assessment including recommendations for further management. The evaluation and delivery of the report may take up to three weeks after confirmation of payment.
If, following the initial assessment, a personal consultation is recommended, this can be arranged subsequently. We will inform you in advance about any additional fees that may apply.
After the Initial Assessment
If, based on the initial assessment, further diagnostics or treatment in Freiburg is recommended, there are generally two options:
1. Admission as an International Patient via IMS
In this case, we arrange your inpatient admission as an international self-paying patient through our International Medical Services (IMS) department.
An admission date as an IMS private patient is usually scheduled approximately four weeks in advance. This appointment must be confirmed by you within four days. In addition, the costs listed in the cost estimate must be transferred to the Medical Center – University of Freiburg in advance.
The cost estimate includes the expenses for the hospital stay, including a single room. The treatment or surgery is performed by designated specialists. The team has experience with more than 200 leak surgeries per year.
2. Admission with S2 Form – for patients with appropriate insurance from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland
The S2 form is an authorization for cost coverage for planned treatments in another EU country and is only applicable for patients with statutory health insurance from EU/EEA countries or Switzerland.
If you wish to request treatment using an S2 form, several steps are required. You will first receive a provisional admission date in approximately three months, allowing sufficient time to apply for the S2 form in your home country.
Treatment using an S2 form differs from treatment as a private patient.
For patients from countries outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, treatment with an S2 form is not possible. In these cases, admission can only be arranged as a private patient via IMS.