Shifting subdural fluid collection and hydrocephalus after foramen magnum decompression for basilar invagination

Abstract

Background: Postoperative hydrocephalus and subdural fluid collection (SFC) have been reported as the rare complications following foramen magnum decompression in patients with Chiari malformation.

Case Description: The paper reports the case of a 63-year-old female patient who underwent foramen magnum decompression for basilar invagination. The patient developed a shifting, bilateral SFC and subsequent acute hydrocephalus. A ventriculoperitoneal shunting was performed and the clinical symptom resolved. The dramatic change in CSF distribution supported the diagnosis of external hydrocephalus, which was associated with a postoperative cervical pseudomeningocele.

Conclusions: Postoperative SFC in patients underwent foramen magnum decompression may harbor different mechanisms. Subdural drainage for patients having external hydrocephalus may have a higher recurrence rate.

Keywords:

• Subdural hygroma
• hydrocephalus
• decompressive craniotomy
• complications

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest concerning the materials or methods used in this study or the findings specified in this paper.

Ethical Approval

There was no personal detail in our report. Therefore, the patient consent was waived. The study was approved by the Zhongshan City People’s Hospital Institutional Review Board.