Delayed cerebrospinal fluid leak after penetrating cervical trauma. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fredericks, Charles; Yon, James R; Kubasiak, John; Basu, Anupam; Nagy, Kimberly; Bokhari, Faran
• Is Part Of: Trauma. Volume 19:Number 1(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Cervical spine injury -- delayed cerebrospinal fluid leak -- stab wounds; Traumatology -- Periodicals; Disaster medicine -- Periodicals; Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.1
• DOI: 10.1177/1460408615621330
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1460-4086

Abstract

Stab wound injury to the cervical spinal cord is a rare occurrence and usually presents with immediate, disastrous, and permanent neurological consequences. Rarer, and potentially as severe, is the complication of a delayed cerebrospinal fluid leak following a stab wound to the cervical spine. In this case, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates a cerebrospinal fluid leak that extends to the skin with injury to the posterior dura at the C1/C2 level. Epidemiology and management of penetrating cervical spinal cord injury and delayed cerebrospinal fluid leaks are discussed.