Aseptic meningitis caused by Teflon implantation for microvascular decompression. Case report.
The authors present the case of a 47-year-old man who, after undergoing microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia, experienced symptomatic pain relief but developed prolonged aseptic meningitis. This case is unusual in that the patient remained dependent on steroid medications for nearly 5 months following the initial surgery and the aseptic meningitis did not resolve until after surgical removal of the Teflon used to pad the trigeminal nerve. The pathophysiological characteristics of the body's reaction to implanted Teflon are discussed along with the rationale for removing this substance in cases of prolonged intractable aseptic meningitis.
Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. mbobek@umich.edu
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D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000098:blood supply; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012086:Reoperation; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene