Publication Type | Case Report |
Authors | McMahon P, Loewenstern J, Girgis P, Tsiouris A, Fink M, Härtl R, Salama G |
Journal | Surg Neurol Int |
Volume | 13 |
Pagination | 341 |
Date Published | 08/05/2022 |
ISSN | 2229-5097 |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system (SSCNS) is a rare progressive neurological disorder resulting from chronic subarachnoid hemorrhage and subsequent subpial hemosiderin deposition. A prolonged cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a known cause of SSCNS. We present a novel case where progressive SSCNS resulted from a chronic CSF leak related to an anterior cervical corpectomy. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 73-year-old man presented with gait ataxia and progressive hearing loss. Thirteen years before, he had undergone a combined anterior-posterior cervical decompression for symptomatic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). The presenting MR imaging showed extensive superficial siderosis and focal spinal cord herniation at the site of a ventral dural defect at the corpectomy site. A CT myelogram showed extensive CSF leakage into the corpectomy surgical site and a communicating pseudomeningocele in the anterior neck. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of progressive SSCNS as a long-term complication of an anterior cervical corpectomy for OPLL. Clinicians should be aware of SSCNS secondary to a chronic CSF leak in patients with a prior corpectomy. |
DOI | 10.25259/SNI_493_2022 |
PubMed ID | 36128162 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC9479579 |