Subdural fluid collection rather than meningitis contributes to hydrocephalus after cervical laminoplasty: A case report

BACKGROUND: Hydrocephalus following dural tear after spinal surgery is rare. Although a few cases of obstructive hydrocephalus caused by subdural fluid collection and communicating hydrocephalus associated with meningitis have been reported, the mechanism remains uncertain. Herein we describe a patient complicated with hydrocephalus after cervical laminoplasty in whom subdural fluid collection in the cervical spine and posterior cranial fossa rather than chronic meningitis was the main mechanism. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old man underwent cervical laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy at a local hospital. Ten days postoperatively, a high fever occurred and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Pseudomeningocele liquid test showed high levels of protein and white blood cell (WBC) count with negative bacterial culture. The patient was treated with short-term intravenous antibiotic and discharged with normal body temperature. The patient was uneventful during the first 8 mo follow-up although repeated MRI showed persistent pseudomeningocele. At the 9(th )mo postoperatively, the patient gradually presented with dizziness and headache accompanied by recurrent weakness of his left arm. Imaging examinations demonstrated hydrocephalus and a cystic lesion around the cervical spinal cord. CSF test from lumbar puncture indicated chronic meningitis. MRI on 1 d after pseudomeningocele drainage showed a significant decrease in the cystic volume, suggesting that the cystic lesion would be subdural fluid collection rather than adhesive arachnoiditis. After dural defect repair, the patient’s symptoms completely resolved and hydrocephalus gradually disappeared. CSF analysis at the 21-mo follow-up revealed significantly decreased protein level and WBC count. CONCLUSION: Subdural fluid collection rather than meningitis contributes to the hydrocephalus formation after cervical laminoplasty.