CSF LEAK CAUSED MASSIVE PLEURAL EFFUSION AS A COMPLICATION OF OLD VERTEBRAL FIXATION SURGERY: A CASE REPORT

Objective and Importance: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage-associated pleural effusion (PE) is a rare cause of excess plural fluid accumulation which almost is a consequence of migration of ventriculoperitoneal shunt or acute trauma of meningeal layers.

Clinical Presentation: We present a young man with recurrent exertional dyspnea and left sided pleural effusion and a history of L1 fixation surgery 4 years ago.

Intervention and Technique: Assessment of pleural fluid was positive for beta-2-transferrin and patient was referred to neurosurgery service with hypothesis of erosion of dura matter with prosthesis and devices used in vertebral fixation.

Conclusion: Erosion of dura matter with prosthesis and devices used in vertebral fixation caused massive pleural effusion after years.