Successful reversal of delayed paraplegia associated with chronic type A aortic dissection using a spinal drain

Abstract

Delayed neurological deficit (DND) following thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair refers to any neurological deficit in a patient who is evaluated to be neurologically intact postoperatively, but develops neurological problems several hours or days later which can be reversed if identified and treated immediately. We report a rare case where cerebrospinal fluid drainage reversed DND that happened 18 months following type A dissection repair. © 2010 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.