Delayed pseudomyelomeningocele: a rare complication after foramen magnum decompression for Chiari malformation.
BACKGROUND
A variety of complications after FMD with or without duraplasty for Chiari malformation have been described. Although cerebellar ptosis through the dural opening and pseudomeningocele are well-known rare complications of this procedure, spinal cord herniation manifesting as pseudomyelomeningocele formation has not previously been cited in the literature. In this report, we present a case of delayed pseudomyleomeningocele after FMD.


METHODS
A 22-year-old man presented with progressive spinal cord compression symptoms 7 years after undergoing FMD for Chiari malformation. Craniocervical MRI of the patient revealed pseudomyelomeningocele at C1 level together with cord distortion. The patient underwent untethering surgery for spinal cord adhesions; neural tissue was freed microsurgically from the adjacent structures and duraplasty was performed with synthetic graft. In the early postoperative period, his symptoms resolved moderately.


CONCLUSIONS
Neural tissue shift including the spinal cord through the dural opening may occur after a large posterior fossa decompression without duraplasty for Chiari malformation. Postoperative inadequate CSF circulation due to arachnoid scarring around the decompression area may facilitate this type condition. Early diagnosis of such a complication is of vital importance to prevent serious neurologic deficits, and release surgery with proper duraplasty and also restoration of CSF circulation is the choice of treatment.
Belen
Deniz
D
Ministry of Health, Diskapi Educational and Research Hospital Neurosurgery Department, Ankara 06110, Turkey. denizbelen2000@yahoo.com
Er
Uygur
U
Gurses
Levent
L
Yigitkanli
Kazim
K
D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005539:Foramen Magnum; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult