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Symptomatic cerebral spinal fluid leak (or intracranial hypotension) due to sacral extradural cyst rupture after sacral fracture: illustrative case

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Intracranial hypotension due to a CSF leak has many possible etiologies including traumatic dural tears, CSF-venous fistulas, iatrogenic causes, and elevated intracranial pressure. An example of traumatic rupture of a preexisting congenital spinal cyst (SC) in the sacrum causing a symptomatic CSF leak has not been described in the literature; therefore, the authors present the case of a 13-year-old female with a previously undiagnosed SC (Nabor type IB, sacral meningocele) found to have symptomatic intracranial hypotension following a ground-level fall. OBSERVATIONS: Traumatic rupture of SCs may cause a dural tear, resulting in stigmata of intracranial hypotension. LESSONS: SCs are rare entities that are often asymptomatic but should be carefully considered in the differential diagnoses for intracranial hypotension, even following low-impact trauma. Symptoms resolve with definitive treatment of dural tear, and recurrence rates are low. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE2555.

Source: Journal of Neurosurgery Case Lessons

DOI: 10.3171/case2555

Authors: Breanna L. Sheldon, Jerry M. Brown, Hasan Ozgur, Richard V. Chua

Institutions: University of Arizona, Florida Atlantic University

Language: English

Topic: Neurosurgical Procedures and Complications

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W4411333715

FWCI: 0.546

Cites: 27

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10