Duropleural fistula manifested as a large pleural transudate - An unusual complication of transthoracic diskectomy

A 52-year-old patient presented with large symptomatic transudative pleural effusion 4 months following T8 to T9 transthoracic diskectomy. Anterior ap proach diskectomy has replaced the traditional laminectomy for treating sym ptomatic centrally herniated and calcified thoracic disks. We describe in t his report the first ease of a large cerebrospinal fluid collection in the pleural cavity caused by persistent postoperative duropleural fistula. The possibility of a duropleural fistula should be entertained in patients who present with a pleural effusion following transthoracic diskectomy.