Four Cases with Fistula and Pooling of Cerebrospinal Fluid

Abstract

The report about cerebrospinal fluid (C. S. F.) fistula as a sequela of spinal operative intervention is very few. We are reporting our clinical experiences in four cases of fistula or pooling of C. S. F. that we tried to repair surgically. As primary disorders two cases were of cervical cord tumor, one of syringomyelia and one of lumbar disc herniation. After exposure of the appropriate spinal levels, we could see a cavity covered with thin and white fibrous membrane inside and a pin hole defect or tiny tear in the dura. The dural defects were closed by direct suture in one case and by the use of tissue adhaesiva (alon alpha), cadaver dura and fascia lata. The postoperative results were satisfactory in three cases except for one of syringomyelia, in whom pooling of C. S. F. is still reconized on CT scan examination.