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Written question asked by Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 July 2026. It was answered by Preet Kaur Gill (Labour) on Thursday, 16 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Cerebrospinal Fluid: Medical Treatments

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to help improve NHS (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment pathways of patients suffering a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.

Answer

Treatment for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks depends on the cause, site, and severity of the leak. CSF leaks are often treated conservatively, while others require procedures such as epidural blood patching, targeted patching, endoscopic skull-base repair, neurosurgical/spinal repair or, in selected cases, endovascular treatment of a CSF-venous fistula. These interventions are delivered through established specialist services and multidisciplinary teams.

Patients are managed through existing local and regional specialist pathways, with referral to centres with relevant expertise where required.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
17007
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Medical treatments Cerebrospinal fluid
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk