[Subarachnoid pleural fistula and subsequent pneumocephalus as complication of vertebral body replacement of the thoracic spine]. / Pleurospinale Fistel und konsekutiver Pneumatozephalus als Komplikation eines Wirbelkörperersatzes an der Brustwirbelsäule.

ABSTRACT

A pneumocephalus caused by a subarachnoid pleural fistula following spinal surgery using an anterior approach is a rare complication, especially in vertebral body replacement. We report the case of a 66-year-old male suffering from metastatic prostatic cancer of the thoracic spine who underwent replacement of a vertebral body using a transthoracic approach. A pneumocephalus occurred 4 weeks postoperatively resulting in delirium.