title: Post traumatic retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele.
abstract: The authors report a case of a 33-year-old man who presented, during recovery from coma due to severe head injury, dysphagia and respiratory failure. Magnetic resonance, retrograde radionuclide myelography and computerized tomographic myelography identified a pseudomeningocele in the retropharyngeal space due to a tear of the left C2 radicular sleeve. After failed medical management, the patient underwent lumbo peritoneal shunt. Magnetic resonance controls showed progressive collapse of the collection. After 3 months the patient was able to breathe spontaneously and to swallow. The authors describe pathogenesis, diagnostic strategy and principles of treatment of traumatic retropharyngeal pseudomeningoceles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences--Neurosurgery, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. massimo.natale@unina2.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Natale
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bocchetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scuotto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rotondo
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Cioffi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000293:injuries*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008588:Meningocele / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery