Case report: cerebrospinal fluid fistula--a rare complication of myelography

A case of a cerebrospinal fluid fistula developing following a lumbar puncture done for myelography is described. Radiographic documentation was obtained by a sinogram using an oily contrast medium. The exact aetiology of the fistula was undetermined, however, the large calibre of the spinal needle used for lumbar puncture as well as the patient's decubitus ulcer in the early post-myelography state may have had a role to play. The presence of a low grade infection also remains a possibility as the needle used was of an autoclaved, reusable type.