• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.525-527
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• 2000

Subarachnoid-pleural fistula after routine thoracotomy is a rare complication but a very serious problem. Twenty one cases have been reported in the literature. We report a care of subarchnoid-pleural fistula that dveloped after the esecation of posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumor. The patient presented with large amount of clear pleural fluid with mild headache and dizziness. Surgical intervention following a trial of conservative therapy was undertaken because we strongly suspected subarachnoid-pleural fistula. A dural tear was found at the level of resected intercostal nerve root. The dura was closed by way of direct suture and fibrin glue. In this case, the recognition of subarachnoid-pleural fistula formation is difficult because the patient had not presented any neurologic deficit.

• Neurospine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.394-399
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• 2018

Subarachnoid pleural fistula (SPF) is an aberrant communication between the pleural cavity and subarachnoid space, resulting in uncontrolled cerebrospinal fluid drainage. The negative pressure of the pleural cavity creates a continuous suctioning effect, thereby impeding the spontaneous closure of these fistulas. Dural tears or punctures in cardiothoracic procedures, spinal operations, and trauma are known to cause such abnormal communications. Failure to recognize this entity may result in sudden neurological or respiratory complications. Hence, a high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and prompt management. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation has been described to be effective in managing such fistulas, thus mitigating the high morbidity associated with exploratory surgery for primary repair. Herein, we describe the typical presentation of SPF and the clinical course, treatment, and follow-up of a patient who sustained SPF following anterior thoracic spinal surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.332-335
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• 2010

Solitary fibrous tumor is an uncommon submesothelial mesenchymal neoplasm that primarily arises from the pleura. Most solitary fibrous tumors have a benign course, and the single most important predictor of the clinical outcome is the ability to excise the entire lesion. We experienced a case of CSF leakage through a subarachnoid-pleural fistula after resection of a malignant solitary fibrous tumor and the involved rib. We detected CSF leakage via performing CT myelography and we treated this case with hemilaminectomy and dura repair.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.878-881
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• 2007

Pneumocephalus after thoracoscopic excision of a mediastinal mass is a very rare complication. It presumably occurs due to dural injury near the spinal root and development of a subsequent subarachnoid-pleural fistula. A 60-year-old woman complained of nausea and headache after thoracoscopic excision of a posterior mediastinal mass. She was diagnosed with pneumocephalus by brain CT and recovered with supportive management.