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
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