Lumboperitoneal Shunt for the Treatment of Postoperative Persistent Collection of Subcutaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid (Pseudomeningocele)

Abstract

Ten patients with postoperative collection of subcutaneous cerebrospinal fluid (pseudomeningocoele) refractory to nonsurgical treatment underwent lumboperitoneal (LP) shunt. In all patients rapid resolution of the subcutaneous collection was achieved, and no recurrence was observed during the follow-up period. Complications of the LP shunt included transient sciatica in one patient, and acute subdural haematoma after a mild head trauma in another patient who had had a subdural fluid collection. A LP shunt proved to be a less invasive and reliable method of treatment for this condition when it fails to resolve despite aspiration of cerebrospinal fluid combined with mechanical compression of the wound. However, in cases with subdural fluid collection, early withdrawal of the LP shunt may be recommended.