Symptomatic thoracic spinal cord compression caused by postsurgical pseudomeningocele

Abstract

We report the first case of symptomatic thoracic spinal cord compression caused by postsurgical pseudomeningocele. A 49-year-old man sought treatment for progressive loss of strength in the lower extremities ten months after full neurological recovery for a thoracic (T11) intradural-extramedullary schwannoma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a postsurgical thoracic (T11-T12) pseudomeningocele. The surgical approach showed an inadequate dural closure with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid fistula. The defect was sealed with suture, muscle and biological glue covering. The patient had a good recovery. Pseudomeningocele must take part of the differential diagnosis of myelopathy after thoracic spine surgery.