Spontaneous subarachnoid pleural fistula: a rare complication of lateral thoracic meningocele

Abstract

A case of spontaneous subarachnoid pleural fistula following rupture of a thoracic meningocele into the pleural cavity is described in this article. The patient had symptoms of low-pressure headache and difficulty in breathing. The fistulous opening was closed near the foramina by rotating a vascularized muscle flap. After showing initial improvement the patient had a recurrence of symptoms after 6 weeks, with a small leak at the closure site. A lumbar thecoperitoneal shunt led to permanent cure. In this article we discuss the course of the disease, the symptoms, the diagnostic methods, and the various treatment modalities for subarachnoid pleural fistula.