Postoperative spinal adhesive arachnoiditis presenting with hydrocephalus and cauda equina syndrome

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2008 Feb;110(2):171-5. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2007.09.004. Epub 2007 Oct 24.

Abstract

To our knowledge, the association between hydrocephalus and postoperative spinal adhesive arachnoiditis (SAA) has never been reported. Herein we describe an unusual case of a 45-year-old man with spinal adhesive arachnoiditis (SAA) who developed delayed-onset hypertensive hydrocephalus and cauda equina syndrome (CES) after multiple low-back surgeries. The patient's clinical presentation, imaging findings, surgical management, and the possible mechanisms are discussed in the light of the present literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arachnoiditis / diagnosis*
  • Arachnoiditis / etiology*
  • Arachnoiditis / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / etiology*
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / surgery*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyradiculopathy / etiology*
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Tissue Adhesions / complications