Surgical management of a retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele: Case report

Retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele is a very rare form of pseudomeningocele, that is known to be associated with cervical trauma. Identifying such pathology can be challenging leading to delayed management.

We report a case of post-traumatic retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele that was managed surgically in a 21-year-old gentleman with poly-trauma injuries due to a motor vehicle accident. After 10 weeks since the traumatic event, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerised tomography (CT) scan showed evidence of bilateral atlanto-occipital dislocation and a fluid collection of 8 × 4 × 2 cm in the retropharyngeal space. The patient was found to have dysphagia and muffled voice with difficult visualisation of the vocal cords upon examination. After a multidisciplinary team decision, the patient underwent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak management, pseudomeningocele resection and dural defect repair with shunting conducted by the Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology. Postoperative assessments and patient's symptoms, at 9 months follow-up, were satisfactory and reassuring.

It's believed that conservative management with bed rest, elevation of bed head and acetazolamide is the initial step in management. As an alternative measure, shunting of the CSF had led to resolution of the collection. However, surgical removal of the collection and direct dural defect repair have been suggested in the literature but needed to be properly studied.

Early recognition of this condition is important to avoid management delay. With a multidisciplinary approach, surgical management can be safe and an acceptable option for retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele.