title: Fat graft migration causing recurrent cervical cord compression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fat graft migration following spinal cord surgery is an uncommon problem.     Only few cases of fat graft migration causing cauda equine syndrome, recurrent     sciatica, and root compression following lumbar spine surgery have been     reported. We report a case of fat graft migration causing symptomatic cervical     cord compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 45-years-old male with cervical     spondylosis underwent anterior C4-5 discectomy and excision of hypertrophied     ligament. A dural tear that occurred during the procedure was repaired with fat     graft harvested from thigh. Significant improvement in stiffness was noted     postoperatively. After 15 days, the patient presented again with worsening lower     limbs stiffness. Magnetic resonance imaging of spine was done which revealed     displacement of the fat graft causing cervical cord compression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Re-exploration was done and the migrated fat graft was removed. Post operatively     patient noticed significant improvement in stiffness in both lower limbs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autologous fat graft is one of the best materials used in sealing     the dural cerebrospinal fluid leak during spinal surgery. However sometimes it     may migrate and cause compression of cord and roots with relative symptoms. This     complication should be kept in mind as removal of migrated fat graft will     relieve these symptoms.
authors: Seth G.S. Medical College @ K.E.M. Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Mumbai, India. drkansal@yahoo.co.in
authors: Ritesh
authors: R
authors: Kansal
authors: Santosh
authors: S
authors: Nama
authors: Amit
authors: A
authors: Mahore
authors: Nitin
authors: N
authors: Dange
authors: Sanjay
authors: S
authors: Kukreja
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects*