Citation

Rahamimov N, Mulla H, Freiman S. J. Orthop. Traumatol. 2010; 11(1): 57-59.

Affiliation

Spine Surgery Unit, Western Galilee Hospital, P.O. Box 21, Naharia, 22100, Israel, nimrod.rahamimov@naharia.health.gov.il.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10195-009-0070-6

PMID

19915795

PMCID

PMC2837809

Abstract

Cerebro-spinal fluid leakage from a spinal stab wound is rare, and usually not a life-threatening injury. Pneumocephalus, a possible rare complication of traumatic cerebro-spinal fluid leakage, can potentially lead to intracranial hemorrhage and death. We describe two cases of spinal stab wounds complicated by cerebro-spinal fluid leakage, one of them developing into severe pneumocephalus. Both patients recovered completely with the following treatment protocol: (a) trendelenburg positioning of the patient, (b) insertion of a continuous-drainage cerebro-spinal fluid catheter into the lumbar thecal sac, (c) primary suture of the leaking skin wound, (d) IV antibiotic therapy.

Language: en