title: Intravertebral pseudomeningocele: an unusual complication after disc surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pseudomeningoceles are most commonly the result of dural tear during spine surgery. They may sometimes slowly enlarge but they generally develop inside the spinal canal, toward the foramina or toward the surgical incision.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe a late and exceptional complication of a surgical discectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a unique case of a large asymptomatic pseudomeningocele strictly developed in the L5 vertebra, discovered incidentally in a 38-year-old woman. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a large cystic lesion involving the vertebral body and the left pedicle of L5 without contrast enhancement. There was neither extension of the cyst toward the vertebral lamina nor toward the spinal canal. Consent to publish the data was obtained from our patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diagnosis was performed during transpedicular image-guided puncture, when opacification of the cyst revealed dural communication. Biochemical analysis and cytology confirmed the presence of cerebrospinal fluid and absence of tumoral cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dural tear was considered as a neglected complication after surgical discectomy at the same level performed 18 years ago. Differential diagnoses of cystic spinal lesions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 229 cours de l'Argonne, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Buy
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 229 cours de l'Argonne, 33000, Bordeaux, France. Electronic address: nicoalbertibdx@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Spine Surgery, University Hospital of Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pointillart
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Hughes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Loiseau
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Institut Bergonié, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 229 cours de l'Argonne, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palussière
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008588:Meningocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography
keywords: Complication; Imaging; Lumbar surgery; Myelography; Pseudomeningocele; Vertebral cyst