Biomaterial Database

Traumatic subarachnoid-pleural fistula: case report and review of the literature. 1993

J C Peter, and H Rode

Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery and General Surgery, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa.

Subarachnoid-pleural fistula is an unusual complication of spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality (SCIWORA) and a rare cause of posttraumatic pleural effusion. The clinical presentation and surgical management of a child, the first with this complication seen at our institution, who sustained a T-6 SCIWORA and a cerebrospinal fluid-pleural effusion following a pedestrian-motor vehicle collision is discussed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) proved superior to myelography in demonstrating the fistulous connection and associated cord damage. The fistula was successfully closed via a thoracotomy using a muscle and pleural plug.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009192	Myelography	X-ray visualization of the spinal cord following injection of contrast medium into the spinal arachnoid space.	Cisternography, Myelographic,Myelographic Cisternography,Cisternographies, Myelographic,Myelographic Cisternographies,Myelographies
D010996	Pleural Effusion	Presence of fluid in the pleural cavity resulting from excessive transudation or exudation from the pleural surfaces. It is a sign of disease and not a diagnosis in itself.	Effusion, Pleural,Effusions, Pleural,Pleural Effusions
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D005402	Fistula	Abnormal communication most commonly seen between two internal organs, or between an internal organ and the surface of the body.	Fistulas
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013119	Spinal Cord Injuries	Penetrating and non-penetrating injuries to the spinal cord resulting from traumatic external forces (e.g., WOUNDS, GUNSHOT; WHIPLASH INJURIES; etc.).	Myelopathy, Traumatic,Injuries, Spinal Cord,Post-Traumatic Myelopathy,Spinal Cord Contusion,Spinal Cord Laceration,Spinal Cord Transection,Spinal Cord Trauma,Contusion, Spinal Cord,Contusions, Spinal Cord,Cord Contusion, Spinal,Cord Contusions, Spinal,Cord Injuries, Spinal,Cord Injury, Spinal,Cord Laceration, Spinal,Cord Lacerations, Spinal,Cord Transection, Spinal,Cord Transections, Spinal,Cord Trauma, Spinal,Cord Traumas, Spinal,Injury, Spinal Cord,Laceration, Spinal Cord,Lacerations, Spinal Cord,Myelopathies, Post-Traumatic,Myelopathies, Traumatic,Myelopathy, Post-Traumatic,Post Traumatic Myelopathy,Post-Traumatic Myelopathies,Spinal Cord Contusions,Spinal Cord Injury,Spinal Cord Lacerations,Spinal Cord Transections,Spinal Cord Traumas,Transection, Spinal Cord,Transections, Spinal Cord,Trauma, Spinal Cord,Traumas, Spinal Cord,Traumatic Myelopathies,Traumatic Myelopathy
D013346	Subarachnoid Space	The space between the arachnoid membrane and PIA MATER, filled with CEREBROSPINAL FLUID. It contains large blood vessels that supply the BRAIN and SPINAL CORD.	Space, Subarachnoid,Spaces, Subarachnoid,Subarachnoid Spaces