Intradiploic cerebrospinal fluid fistulas of iatrogenic origin. Report of two cases

Abstract

Intradiploic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collections represent a rare complication of either head trauma or neurosurgical procedures. Their formation is thought to depend partly on violation of the meninges and the inner cortical bone abutting the neuraxis. The authors present two pediatric cases involving diploic CSF collections following neurosurgical interventions. In the first case, a CSF fistula was found within the occipital bone and the petrous portion of the temporal bone 9 years after a suboccipital craniectomy. The second case features the extremely rare occurrence of a CSF fistula within a thoracic vertebra, 9 years after a laminectomy. Both patients underwent successful surgical procedures for repair of the fistulas.