Background:
A spinal dural defect caused by needle placement for spinal level localization is an uncommon complication of cerebrospinal fluid leak with the potential for the development of intracranial hypertension.
Case description:
Our 48-year-old patient underwent unilateral fenestration and sequestrectomy for intractable L5 radiculopathy due to disc herniation at the level L4-5 on the right side. The spinal level was identified with fluoroscopy after placement of a 24-gauge Sprotte spinal needle on the right side. Intraoperatively, a sub-millimeter spinal dural defect was visualized on the ipsilateral side.
Conclusion:
Caution is needed when needle placement is used to localize the spinal level for unilateral surgery.