TY - JOUR A2 - Tsunezuka, Y. A2 - Galetta, D. AU - Shamji, Mohammed F. AU - Sundaresan, Sudhir AU - Da Silva, Vasco AU - Seely, Jean AU - Shamji, Farid M. PY - 2011 DA - 2011/09/04 TI - Subarachnoid-Pleural Fistula: Applied Anatomy of the Thoracic Spinal Nerve Root SP - 168959 VL - 2011 AB - Subarachnoid-pleural fistula (SPF) is a rare complication of chest or spine operations for neoplastic disease. Concomitant dural and parietal pleural defects permit flow of cerebrospinal fluid into the pleural cavity or intrapleural air into the subarachnoid space. Dural injury recognized intraoperatively permits immediate repair, but unnoticed damage may cause postoperative pleural effusion, intracranial hypotension, meningitis, or pneumocephalus. We review two cases of SPF following surgical intervention for chest wall metastatic disease to motivate a detailed review of the anatomy of neural, osseous, and ligamentous structures at the intervertebral foramen. We further provide recommendations for avoidance and detection of such complication. SN - null UR - https://doi.org/10.5402/2011/168959 DO - 10.5402/2011/168959 JF - ISRN Surgery PB - International Scholarly Research Network KW - ER -