leaking csf following surgery

yully

Hi guys - i've just had spinal surgery and ended up with a dural tear and leaking spinal fluid - a pseudmenigocele. I'm can't seem to find much info about it and just wondering if anyone else has experienced it. I'm waiting for a date for an operation to repair it - although helpfully the surgeom said it may not work! Really worried cos at present I can only sit or stand for 20 minutes without getting dreadful headaches, dizzyness and vomiting, so in bed the vast majority of the day. Can't even bend my head forward - also being a right cow to my hubbie but not sure if the operation will sort that!

Katykat

I had the same following a discectomy 12yrs ago. Recovered fine from the sugery but was completely floored 5 days later by the humungous headaches & vomiting. I ended up in A&E & had lumbar puncture, scan & BT's, all ruled out meningitis, bleeding etc. Diagnosed a dural tear. After 1 week in bed, it repaired itself. Lower grade headaches continued for a few weeks, but they did eventually subside without any further intervention. It left me with a very low tolerance level of headaches. Whereas before, I tried to "work through it" now I take painkillers at the first onset. Incidentally, I had major spinal surgery 1 yr ago, but got no headaches after that. i did warn the medical staff beforehand. Not sure if it was because the incision was across my abdomen theough , where the previous one was in my back.
So you may not need further surgery, given time

yully

It would be great if I could get away without another op, but don't feel hopeful. It's been going on for 6 weeks now and seems worse if anything. Tried going out in the car today and managed 10 minutes before I vomited. Just feel dreadful but it's reassuring that you were the same, and I'll keep hoping it settles down
x x