Cerebrospinal fluid-cutaneous fistula associated with post-traumatic Charcot spinal arthropathy: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Charcot spinal arthropathy, also known as Charcot spine and neuropathic spinal arthropathy, is a progressive and destructive condition that affects an intervertebral disc and the adjacent vertebral bodies following loss of spinal joint innervation. We report the first case of Charcot spinal arthropathy (CSA) associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-cutaneous fistula. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old male who underwent T10-L2 posterior instrumented spinal fusion seven years prior for treatment of T11 burst fracture and accompanying T11 complete paraplegia visited our department complaining of leakage of clear fluid at his lower back. The patient had also undergone various types of skin graft and myocutaneous flap surgeries for treatment of repetitive pressure sores around his lumbosacral area. The patient presented with persistent CSF leakage from a cutaneous fistula (CSF-cutaneous fistula) formed in a lumbosacral pressure sore. The CSF-cutaneous fistula arose from the L5 post-traumatic CSA. Surgery was planned for management of CSF-cutaneous fistula and post-traumatic L5 CSA. We successfully treated the CSF-cutaneous fistula with ligation and transection of the dural sac and cauda equina at the L2-L3 level. In addition, the post-traumatic L5 CSA was successfully treated with a posterior four-rod spinopelvic fixation from T9 to ilium and S2 foramina. After surgery, the CSF leakage stopped and no other adverse neurological changes were found. The four-rod spinopelvic construct was well maintained five years later. CONCLUSIONS: CSA associated with CSF-cutaneous fistula is a very rare disorder. Only surgical treatment for both CSA and CSF-cutaneous fistula with ligation and transection of the dural sac and posterior four-rod spinopelvic fixation can bring satisfactory results.

Cerebrospinal fluid cutaneous fistula after neuraxial anesthesia: an effective treatment approach.

Cerebrospinal fluid cutaneous fistula is a rare but potentially serious complication of epidural analgesia. We report the case of a patient submitted to total knee arthroplasty under subarachnoid block and placement of lumbar epidural catheter for post-operative analgesia. The epidural catheter was found exteriorised on the fourth post-operative day, and the patient presented with a moderate fluid leak from the puncture site that was confirmed to be cerebrospinal fluid by cytological and chemical analysis. The initial therapeutic approach consisted of bed rest, hydration and prophylactic antibiotic therapy for 3 days, but it was ineffective as the leak persisted. A suture was placed at the epidural insertion site with immediate resolution of the leak. The suture was maintained for 5 days. The patient progressed satisfactorily without requiring further therapies.

Clinical Factors Associated with Cutaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage in Infants Who Underwent a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Surgery / Fatores clínicos associados a fístula liquorica cutânea em lactentes submetidos a derivação ventriculoperitoneal

Objective The aim of the study is to determine the factors related to fetal maturity and clinical parameters that may be involved in the development of skin cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Methods This study evaluated 72 infants undergoing ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt between 2004 and 2008 at the Odilon Behrens Municipal Hospital. All children were treated by the same surgeon, and the clinical data concerning weight, age, and percentile, as well as hemoglobin levels, were collected from medical records and duly noted in proper protocols. Results A tendency toward a high incidence of fistula could be observed in children born with a weight percentile of less than 10 (p » 0.06), and an even higher incidence could be identified in children who underwent surgery before 1 month of life (p < 0.05). Other parameters showed no significant difference in the comparison between children with and without cerebrospinal leakage. Conclusion The chronological age and the degree of intrauterine nutrition are determining factors in cerebrospinal fluid leakage in infants and may well influence the incidence of wound complications after a VP shunt.

Determinar fatores clínicos e de maturidade fetal que possam estar envolvidos no desenvolvimento de fístulas cutâneas pós-operatórias. Métodos Foram avaliados 72 lactentes submetidos a derivação ventriculoperitoneal no Hospital Municipal Odilon Behrens no período de 2004 a 2008. Os dados clínicos elaboratoriais ao nascimento e à cirurgia foram coletados dos prontuários e anotados em protocolos próprios. Resultados Houve uma tendência a ocorrência de fístulas em crianças nascidas com percentil de peso abaixo de 10 (p » 0,06) e maior incidência em crianças operadas antes de um mês de vida (p < 0,05). Os demais parâmetros não foram significativos. Conclusão A idade cronológica e o grau de nutrição intrauterina são fatores envolvidos na formação de fístulas liquóricas em recém-nascidos, tendo impacto na prevalência de complicações nas feridas de lactentes submetidos a derivação ventriculoperitoneal.

Successful management of a thoracic cerebrospinal fluid cutaneous fistula in a two year old child using a thoracic epidural blood patch.

A case of persistent thoracic cerebrospinal fluid cutaneous fistula in a toddler following radiographically confirmed epidural catheter placement is reported. Treatment of the fistula with a thoracic epidural blood patch was successful.

Cerebrospinal fluid cutaneous fistula after epidural analgesia in a child.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cerebrospinal fluid cutaneous fistulae are rare complications of neuraxial needle procedures. CASE REPORT: We present the first reported case of a persistent cerebrospinal fluid cutaneous fistula in a child who underwent epidural analgesia. Careful assessment and circumspect treatment of this cerebrospinal fluid cutaneous fistula led to an excellent outcome in this child. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment can be challenging in young children, and guidelines for management are absent. Technical issues in treatment are discussed in addition to pitfalls in diagnosis in young children.