Reversal of twice-delayed neurologic deficits with cerebrospinal fluid drainage after thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair: a case report and plea for a national database collection.

Abstract

Delayed neurologic deficits are an uncommon yet devastating complication of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The mechanisms involved in the development of delayed spinal cord ischemia remain ill defined. We report a case of complete reversal of delayed neurologic deficits with postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. After a thoracoabdominal aneurysm extent I repair, the patient experienced delayed paraplegia at 6 hours and again at 34 hours after the operation, with elevated CSF pressure (>10 mm Hg) on both occasions. Prompt CSF decompression completely reversed the neurologic deficits within hours after onset. The findings in this case further support the role of CSF drainage in spinal cord protection for patients who undergo thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair and make a plea for a national database collection.