Published in:
01-05-2013 | Case Report
Isolated abducens nerve palsy due to cerebrospinal fluid leakage following lumbar discectomy: a rare clinical entity
Published in: European Spine Journal | Special Issue 3/2013
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Background and importance
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage can cause abducens nerve palsy which is such a rare complication after spine surgery.
Clinical presentation
A 48-year-old man was diagnosed with isolated abducens nerve palsy due to CSF leakage by inadvertent dural tearing after lumbar discectomy. We performed primary dural repair of CSF leakage and 1 week after, the diplopia and headache disappeared with complete resolution of CSF leakage. We will also review the clinical features and outcomes of three cases that have been reported in the literature.
Conclusion
This rare complication of spinal surgery helped us to discuss appropriate therapeutic strategies for the early surgical management of cranial nerve palsy following CSF leakage.