Pseudomeningocele Symptoms, Causes, Complications, Treatment

It is an abnormal condition in which cerebral spinal fluid starts accumulating and shows contact with the space containing cerebral spinal fluid around brain and spinal cord. Pseudomeningocele is different from meningocele because in meningocele, the cerebrospinal fluid is surrounded with dura matter but in pseudomeningocele, cerebrospinal fluid is not surrounded with any membrane. In pseudomeningocele, the cerebrospinal fluid is present in the cavity i.e. within soft tissues. Pseudomeningocele can occur as a result of a surgery of brain or spinal cord. It can also occur as a result of brachial plexus avulsion injury. The treatment of pseudomeningocele is conservative.

Pseudomeningocele Symptoms


The symptoms of pseudomeningocele varies according to the region attached. It may affect various parts of body because of its contact with spinal cord. It may cause pain in back, sciatic pain and headache. It may also cause pain in neck region. Patient feels nausea. Patient may vomit again and again. Other symptoms include tinnitus and a palpable mass in the cavities. In most cases, the pseudomeningocele is asymptomatic and does not show any symptoms. It shows symptoms only in chronic or severe cases. Pain is the commonest symptom it shows in various regions of body.


Pseudomeningocele Causes


Pseudomeningocele is a condition similar to meningocele. The only difference is in their compositions. Both the conditions may have same causes. Some of the common causes include spinal surgery, brain surgery and any kind of injury in brain or spinal cord. Pseudomeningocele is considered as uncommon complication of spinal cord surgery. Injuries leading to pseudomeningocele includes brachial plexus avulsion injury. This injury accelerates the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cavities or we can say soft tissues without dural matter. These are the only reported causes of pseudomeningocele till yet. This condition is still under investigation for more causes and complications.

Pseudomeningocele Complications


Pseudomeningocele is itself an uncommon complication of brain or spinal surgery. But it also leads to many complications like chronic meningitis, cosmetic deformity. This condition may become life threatening if it is not treated on time. Patient may feel impingement. Some neurological deficits may occur. Cyst formation is the rarest complication. The cysts are life threatening posterior fossa cyst. If this condition is left untreated, it may lead to chronic meningitis and may prove fatal for health. Pseudomeningocele is still under investigation for the collection of further complications and causes behind it.

Pseudomeningocele Treatment


Pseudomeningocele is treated with a surgical procedure. Surgery is the only treatment option for pseudomeningocele. Neurosurgical repair is necessary. Pseudomeningocele is treated via combined treatment protocol which involves extirpation of pseudomeningocele and repair of damaged dural matter. A subarachnoid catheter is used to drain excessive cerebrospinal fluid from cavities or soft tissues. The drainage is safe and effective. This method is used to drain cerebrospinal fluid in case of giant pseudomeningocele. The surgery is the only option to remove excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluid from brain and spinal cord cavity. And surgery should be performed under the supervision of trained physician.
Pseudomeningocele Symptoms, Causes, Complications, Treatment Pseudomeningocele Symptoms, Causes, Complications, Treatment Reviewed by Simon Albert on February 02, 2019 Rating: 5
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