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Head Exploded: Doctor's Rare CSF Leak Ordeal
28 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Doctor suffered severe headache in Malta, later diagnosed with rare CSF leak.
- Specialized surgery was required in London, as no Welsh surgeons could perform it.
- Dr. Hard advocates for better GP training to spot rare CSF leak symptoms.
Dr. Bernadette Hard, a 53-year-old doctor from Wales, endured a terrifying ordeal in Malta when she experienced a severe headache, later diagnosed as a rare cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. The sensation was so intense she felt her head would explode, leading to hospitalization for a month in Valletta before she could be medically transferred home.
Upon returning to the UK, she faced significant challenges gaining a diagnosis, as even her GP was unfamiliar with the condition. After a long wait for a specialist appointment, she sought private treatment and eventually underwent complex surgery at a London hospital to repair a hole in her spine. The procedure, which involved creating a "bone window," was risky but ultimately successful.
Now recovered, Dr. Hard is a passionate advocate for increased awareness and better training for NHS frontline staff, particularly GPs, to recognize CSF leak symptoms. She emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, noting that spontaneous CSF leaks, while rare, are often treatable and can lead to full recovery with timely intervention.
