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Pericranial and scalp rotation flaps for occipitocervical hardware exposure with CSF leak in rheumatoid arthritis patient: A case report and review of the literature
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How to cite this article: Schonauer C, Mastantuoni C, de Divitiis O, D’Andrea F, de Falco R, Schonauer F. Pericranial and scalp rotation flaps for occipitocervical hardware exposure with CSF leak in rheumatoid arthritis patient: A case report and review of the literature. Surg Neurol Int 2021;12:229.
Abstract
Background:
There are several etiologies of craniocervical junction instability (CCJI); trauma, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), infections, tumors, congenital deformity, and degenerative processes. These conditions often require surgery and craniocervical fixation. In rare cases, breakdown of such CCJI fusions (i.e., due to cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] leaks, infection, and wound necrosis) may warrant the utilization of occipital periosteal rescue flaps and scalp rotation flaps to achieve adequate closure.
Case Description:
A 33-year-old female with RA, cranial settling, and high cervical cord compression underwent an occipitocervical instrumented C0–C3/C4 fusion. Two months later, revision surgery was required due to articular screws pull out, CSF leakage, and infection. At the second surgery, the patient required screws removal, the application of laminar clamps, and sealing the leak with fibrin glue. However, the CSF leak persisted, and the skin edges necrosed leaving the hardware exposed. The third surgery was performed in conjunction with a plastic surgeon. It included operative debridement and covering the instrumentation with a pericranial flap. The resulting cutaneous defect was then additionally reconstructed with a scalp rotation flap. Postoperatively, the patient adequately recovered without sequelae.
Conclusion:
A 33-year-old female undergoing an occipitocervical fusion developed a postoperative persistent CSF leak, infection, and wound necrosis. This complication warranted the assistance of plastic surgery to attain closure. This required an occipital periosteal rescue flap with an added scalp rotation flap.
Keywords
Craniocervical junction
Occipitocervical fusion
Pericranial flap
Rheumatoid arthritis
Skin rotation flap
INTRODUCTION
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves the cervical spine in 59–88% of cases and can result in cranial settling (CS)/basilar invagination (BI), retro-odontoid pannus formation, atlantoaxial instability, and atlantoaxial subluxation. The typical treatment for RA-related CS is a posterior occipitocervical fusion.[1] However, potential complications of occipitocervical fixation may include wound infection, hematomas, dural tears/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, and instrumentation failure.[2] Herein, we describe a 33-year-old female who, following a C0–C3/4 fusion, developed an infection, screws pull-out, and a CSF leak. The CSF leak recurred and the wound dehisced, requiring complex plastic surgery closure with a scalp and pericranial rotation flap.
CASE REPORT
A 33-year-old female with RA presented with myelopathy. MR and CT studies documented BI, CCJI, and spinal cord compression [Figure 1a]. After informed consent, She was first treated with an occipitocervical fusion (C0–C3/C4) [Figure 1b].
However, 2 months later, she returned with paresthesias in both hands. The CT scan now showed pull-out of the cervical articular screws [Figure 1c]. Further, laboratory studies and the physical examination revealed a significant wound infection with a CSF leak.
The second surgery included removal of the articular screws and the application of bilateral C0–C3/C4 laminar clamps [Figure 1d]. The CSF leak, attributed to a cranial plate hole, was sealed with fibrin glue. However, the CSF fistula persisted postoperatively, warranting the placement of a spinal drain 3 days later [Figure 2]. When the microbiological analysis showed Pseudomonas aeruginosa, proper antibiotic therapy was started. Two weeks later, she underwent a third operation. With the help of a plastic surgeon, a pericranial flap was elevated and rotated over the instrumentation. Next, a left pedicle rotation scalp-flap was raised in the avascular subgaleal plane; it was rotated over the pericranium, filling the defect without tension. A Penrose drain was maintained for 24 h [Figure 3]. Postoperatively, the wound healed adequately. Six months later, she fully recovered neurological function without further infection or wound breakdown [Figure 4]. Fusion was also subsequently confirmed on the 6-month postoperative CT scan.
DISCUSSION
RA patients have cervical spine involvement in up to 85% of cases, and CS/BI is one of the most frequent complications. Its treatment typically involves occipitocervical fusions, complications of which may include dural tears/CSF leakage, improper screw placement/instrumentation failure, and infections.[2]
Further, RA patients have an underlying compromised inflammatory autoimmune status, leaving them more susceptible to postsurgical infections, delayed healing, wound dehiscence, fusion failure, and CSF leaks/DT.[3,4]
If such complications arise, they may require complex occipitocervical wound/fusion revisions.
Rotation of complex occipitocervical flaps with plastic surgery
Coverage of exposed occipitocervical wound dehiscence may warrant the rotation of complex flaps in conjunction with plastic surgery.
Koop et al. proposed using a periosteal turndown flap and subsequent fixation through the flap with wires, screws, hooks, or plates to aid fusion; this technique has been successfully used over the years.[5,7]
Our modification was to rotate both skin and pericranial flaps down, and to drape these over the instrumentation. This offered a double-layer barrier for preventing recurrent CSF leakage, separated the occipital plate from the skin, reduced the wound pressure, and improved vascularization to the surrounding tissues.[6] Similarly, the pericranial flap provided viable osteogenic cells, bolstering the arthrodesis, and increasing its success rate.
CONCLUSION
Occipitocervical instrumented fusion dehiscence can be successfully treated with a combination of scalp and pericranial rotation flaps utilized to cover the exposed instrumentation.
Declaration of patient consent
Patient’s consent not required as patients identity is not disclosed or compromised.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
REFERENCES
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