Am J Perinatol 2005; 22(1): 57-59
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-837267
Copyright © 2005 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak in a Premature Neonate

Arieh Riskin1 , Liana Beni-Adani2 , Irena Chistiekov1 , Amir Kugelman1 , Martha Abend-Weinger1 , David Bader1
  • 1Department of Neonatology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, The B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
  • 2Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Dana Children's Hospital, Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
11 January 2005 (online)

ABSTRACT

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cranial leaks in neonates are rare, and only four case reports have been published previously. Two of the previous cases were also in preterm newborns delivered at 30 weeks gestation. We present a case of CSF leak in a premature neonate delivered at 30 weeks gestation. Our approach to treatment was different from that previously described. After the initial treatment with local packing bandage failed to stop CSF leakage, local exploration with wound suturing was done, with resultant ceasing of leakage within 12 hours of birth. This case presents a rare complication of CSF leakage caused by internal scalp monitoring. This complication seems to be more frequent in premature babies, thus special consideration should be taken in premature infants before applying such monitoring.

REFERENCES

  • 1 Goodlin R C, Harrod J R. Complications of fetal spiral electrodes.  Lancet. 1973;  1 559
  • 2 Turbeville D F, McCaffree M A. Fetal scalp electrode complications: cerebrospinal fluid leak.  Obstet Gynecol. 1979;  54 469-470
  • 3 Nieburg P, Gross S J. Cerebrospinal fluid leak in a neonate associated with fetal scalp electrode monitoring.  Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1983;  147 839-840
  • 4 Sorokin Y, Weintraub Z, Rothschild A, Abramovici H, Iancu T C. Cerebrospinal fluid leak in the neonate-complication of fetal scalp electrode monitoring. Case report and review of the literature.  Isr J Med Sci. 1990;  26 633-635
  • 5 Patel M R, Louie W, Rachlin J. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks of the lumbosacral spine: management with percutaneous fibrin glue.  AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1996;  17 495-500
  • 6 Siedentop K H, O'Grady K, Park J J, Bhattacharya T, Sanchez B. Fibrin sealant for treatment of cerebrospinal fluid leaks.  Am J Otolaryngol. 1999;  20 777-780
  • 7 Weakland H J. The epidural blood patch-current practices and concerns.  CRNA. 1994;  5 156-163
  • 8 Elbiaadi-Aziz N, Benzon H T, Russell E J, Mirkovic S. Cerebrospinal fluid leak treated by aspiration and epidural blood patch under computed tomography guidance.  Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2001;  26 363-367

Arieh RiskinM.D. 

Department of Neonatology, Bnai Zion Medical Center

47 Golomb Street, P.O. Box 4940

Haifa 31048, Israel