Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Anterior and Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery

Cerebrospinal fluid leaks are among the most commonly reported complications in spinal surgery. The prevalence of cervical dural tears is 0.5%-3%. Although the gold standard for management of cervical dural leaks is direct suture repair, most cervical dural tears can be managed by observation alone. Large dural defects or tenuous repairs may warrant the placement of a lumbar cerebrospinal fluid shunt. The diagnosis of an occult or a chronic dural leak can be made from clinical information with patients classically complaining of a spinal headache. Properly managed cervical dural tears heal without adverse effects and without long-term neurologic sequelae.