Post-operative gigantic lumbar pseudomeningocele: A case report
Dionysia Fermeli1, Vasileios Panagiotopoulos1, Dimitrios Papadakos1
1University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece.
Folia Medica
|January 8, 2025
Summary
Postoperative pseudomeningocele, a rare spinal surgery complication, can be massive. Duroplasty effectively treated a giant lumbar pseudomeningocele, preventing recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Surgery
- Dural Repair
Background:
- Postoperative pseudomeningocele is a rare complication following spinal surgery.
- It can manifest as asymptomatic or symptomatic with pain and headaches.
- Spontaneous resolution occurs, but surgical intervention with dural repair may be necessary.
Observation:
- A 71-year-old female developed a massive lumbar pseudomeningocele after a L2-5 broad laminectomy and accidental durotomy.
- Initial management included external lumbar drain and bedrest for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.
- A giant pseudomeningocele, measuring 22.57 cm in length, was identified via CT scan.
Findings:
- Revision surgery with duroplasty was performed for the massive pseudomeningocele.
- The patient experienced no recurrence of CSF leak or pseudomeningocele at 7-month follow-up.
Implications:
- Duroplasty is an effective treatment for massive postoperative lumbar pseudomoceles.
- This case highlights successful surgical management of a rare and large complication.
- Further research into optimal dural repair techniques is warranted.
