title: Massive pleural effusion as the presenting feature of a subarachnoid-pleural fistula.
abstract: A 14-year-old boy presented with a large symptomatic transudative pleural effusion 4 months after spinal surgery for kyphoscoliosis. Computed tomography myelography confirmed a subarachnoid-pleural fistula (SPF) with a pseudo-meningocele communicating with the left pleural space. A review of the literature indicates this to be a rare finding. The possibility of SPF should be entertained in patients who present with a pleural effusion following transthoracic spinal surgeries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, P.D. Hinduja National Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Souza
authors.forename: Amita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doshi
authors.forename: Shekhar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhojraj
authors.forename: Prashant
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: Zarir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Udwadia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009192:Myelography; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013346:Subarachnoid Space