Subarachnoid drainage of an established or chronic pseudomeningocele

Incidental dural tears are a common complication of lumbar spine surgery, but if unrecognized cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage can lead to the formation of a fistula or pseudomeningocele. Traditionally, fistulae and pseudomeningoceles have been treated with open revision surgery, but acute fistulae with direct CSF leakage through the incision site have reportedly been treated by extracorporal drainage. This report presents a case in which an established or chronic pseudomeningocele was successfully managed without open surgical repair.