Hydrocephalus as a Complication of Durotomy during Cervical Laminoplasty: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES@#We report a case of hydrocephalus as a complication of durotomy during cervical laminoplasty.SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW Hydrocephalus is a very rare complication of cervical laminoplasty.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#A 72-year-old man had an incidental durotomy during cervical laminoplasty. The dural leak was repaired by secondary surgery. However, the patient continued to complain of headaches and developed confusion and drowsiness. A computed tomographic scan of the brain showed hydrocephalus. After insertion of a lumbar drain, the patient experienced a temporary improvement in the neurologic symptoms. After 6 months, the neurologic symptoms recurred and a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt was placed.@*RESULTS@#After placement of the VP shunt, the neurologic symptoms improved significantly.@*CONCLUSIONS@#If a patient shows deterioration of neurologic symptoms after an incidental durotomy, surgeons should consider the possibility of hydrocephalus.