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Postendoscopic spine surgery bacterial meningitis requiring multiple surgical interventions: A complex case report
Ghazwan Abdulla Hasan1, Ahmed Dheyaa Al-Obaidi2, Mohammed Muzahem Hammood3
1Department of Orthopaedics and Spine Surgery, Middle East Private Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq.
Abstract:
An uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication of spinal surgery is bacterial meningitis, To the best of our knowledge, all of the documented cases have developed following open procedures, likely due to the increased potential for cerebrospinal fluid exposure and dural injury associated with these approaches, and notably, none of these documented cases were due to an endoscopic surgical approach. The low prevalence of this condition explains the reasonable but unfortunate lack of information about its natural history and associated complications in the medical literature. We present a case of a patient who experienced bacterial meningitis following endoscopic surgical intervention for lumbar disc herniation. This complex case required multiple surgical procedures to achieve a complete resolution.
Insights
Bacterial meningitis is a rare but serious complication after spinal surgery. This case highlights its occurrence after endoscopic lumbar disc herniation surgery, a previously undocumented scenario.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis following spinal surgery is a rare but severe complication.
- Previously documented cases exclusively occurred after open surgical procedures.
- Limited literature exists on the natural history and complications due to its low prevalence.
Observation:
- A patient developed bacterial meningitis after undergoing endoscopic surgical intervention for lumbar disc herniation.
- This represents a novel occurrence, as prior cases were linked to open surgery.
- The case involved complex management requiring multiple surgical interventions.
Findings:
- Endoscopic spinal surgery, while minimally invasive, can still pose a risk for bacterial meningitis.
- Cerebrospinal fluid exposure and dural injury remain potential risk factors, even with endoscopic techniques.
- Successful resolution was achieved through a multi-stage surgical approach.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of potential complications associated with endoscopic spinal procedures.
- Neurosurgeons should remain vigilant for bacterial meningitis even in minimally invasive approaches.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific risks and optimal management strategies for post-endoscopic meningitis.
