Lymphatic fluid fistula: an extremely rare complication of posterior lumbar transpedicular screw fixation. Case report.
The authors describe the unique case of a patient who had undergone posterior stabilization of the lumbar spine complicating the course of a lymphatic fistula. A lymphatic fistula is a rare complication of posterior lumbar surgery. Predisposing factors include individual anatomy, scarring adherences due to previous abdominal operations or surgical maneuvers deep in the plane of the transverse processes. Because the onset of lymphatic fistulas is subtle, and because they are associated with a high mortality rate and require multidisciplinary treatment, care is needed to avoid misdiagnosing these lesions as the more common cerebrospinal fluid fistula.
Raco
Antonino
A
Department of Neurosurgery, Policlinico Umberto I, University "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy.
Russo
Natale
N
Landi
Alessandro
A
Dazzi
Mauro
M
Carlesimo
Bruno
B
D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013897:Thoracic Duct / Q000601:surgery; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014014:Tissue Adhesives