Pseudomeningocele-Related Hydrocephalus After Spinal Tumor Resection: Case Report and Systematic Review of Pathophysiology and Treatment Options

Pseudomeningocele-related hydrocephalus after spinal tumor resection is a rare condition. Only few cases are reported and the pathophysiology of this condition is still debated in literature. This article presents the case of a 44-years-old woman that developed cervical pseudomeningocele and hydrocephalus after the resection of a C2 schwannoma. After different surgeries, the resolution of the pseudomeningocele has resolved the hydrocephalus. Some authors yet suggested that the surgical management of the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) leak can also resolve the hydrocephalus. Several theories about the pathophysiological correlation between these two conditions and their treatment have been proposed. This illustrative case offers the possibility to better evaluate this association and a new theory is proposed.