Risk Of Meningitis Following Posterior Fossa Decompression With Duraplasty In Cases Of Chiari Malformation Type 1 And Syringomyelia

Authors

  • Muhammad Ali Noman
  • Imran Khan
  • Mehran Ali
  • Mohammed Danial
  • Muhammad Tayyab
  • Shabbir Khan

Keywords:

Chiari malformation type I, syringomyelia, posterior fossa decompression, duraplasty, meningitis

Abstract

Objectives:

  1. To determine the risk of postoperative meningitis following posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty in patients with Chiari malformation type 1 and syringomyelia.
  2. To determine the incidence of other postoperative complications: pseudo meningocele, CSF leak and the need for reoperation following the surgery.
  3. To evaluate the association of demographic, clinical, and surgical factors, including graft type, with the occurrence of meningitis and other postoperative complications.

Methodology:

This prospective descriptive cohort study was conducted from January 2024 to January 2025 at a tertiary care center. A total of 60 patients aged 10–65 years undergoing PFDD were included through consecutive sampling. Patients were followed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was meningitis, defined by CSF pleocytosis with microbiological confirmation. Secondary outcomes included pseudo meningocele, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and reoperation. Associations between demographic, clinical, and surgical variables, including graft type, were analyzed.

Results:

The mean age was 38.72 ± 16.41 years, with a female predominance (75%). The incidence of postoperative meningitis was 5%. Pseudo meningocele occurred in 8.3% of patients, while CSF leak and reoperation were observed in 5% each. Patients receiving non-autologous grafts demonstrated a higher relative risk of meningitis (RR = 3.29) and other complications; however, no statistically significant associations were found (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

PFDD is associated with a measurable risk of postoperative complications, including meningitis, pseudo meningocele, and CSF leak. Although non-autologous grafts showed a higher relative risk, no significant predictors were identified. Larger multicenter studies are required to better define risk factors and optimize surgical outcomes

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Published

2025-04-30

How to Cite

1.
Ali Noman M, Khan I, Ali M, Danial M, Tayyab M, Khan S. Risk Of Meningitis Following Posterior Fossa Decompression With Duraplasty In Cases Of Chiari Malformation Type 1 And Syringomyelia. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 30 [cited 2026 Jul. 2];14(15S):2478-85. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/10393

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 15S (2025): Journal of Neonatal Surgery

Section

Original Article

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