Cerebrospinal fluid hydrothorax in a rehabilitation medicine patient following thoracotomy for thoracic disc protrusion

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hydrothorax has been reported most commonly as a complication of ventriculo-pleural / -peritoneal shunt insertion, but also due to duro-pleural fistula. Here we report a case of CSF hydrothorax in a rehabilitation patient due to duro-pleural fistula following thoracotomy for thoracic myelopathy secondary to disc protrusion. This case highlights the need for high clinical suspicion following thoracotomy, and urgent specialist input from the neurosurgical team.