Subarachnoid drainage of an established or chronic pseudomeningocele

Incidental dural tears are a common complication of lumbar spine surgery, b ut if unrecognized cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage can lead to the format ion of a fistula or pseudomeningocele. Traditionally, fistulae and pseudome ningoceles have been treated with open revision surgery, but acute fistulae with direct CSF leakage through the incision site have reportedly been tre ated by extracorporal drainage. This report presents a case in which an est ablished or chronic pseudomeningocele was successfully managed without open surgical repair.