Traumatic lumbosacral pseudomeningocele associated with spinal fracture

Traumatic pseudomeningocele and avulsion of lumbosacral nerve roots are rare in the absence of fractures of the pelvic ring or hip dislocation. Clear prognoses for the root avulsion or pseudomeningocele do not exist.

To present a patient who developed a posttraumatic pseudomeningocele after lumbosacral injury.

Case report and review of the literature.

A patient who sustained traumatic pseudomeningocele of the lumbar spine was treated nonsurgically and followed over a 2-year period.

Nerve root deficit largely recovered, although an asymptomatic pseudomeningocele persisted.

The radiographic diagnosis of lumbar root avulsion is not predictive, and recovery may be expected in some patients without operative intervention. Management of patients with lumbar nerve root avulsion and posttraumatic pseudomeningocele should be based on the size and clinical significance of the pseudomeningocele.