Intracranial hypertension after spinal cord injury and suboptimal cervical fusion

Abstract

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), also known as pseudotumor cerebri, is a syndrome of increased intracranial pressure. Secondary causes have been associated with IIH, but the pathogenesis is poorly understood, and most cases are idiopathic. We present a case of IIH after suboptimal surgical stabilization of a traumatic C5 spinal cord injury, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade A. The patient underwent a posterior arthrodesis and fusion to stabilize the spine, and his symptoms gradually resolved. To our knowledge, we present the first reported case of intracranial hypertension after a traumatic spinal cord injury and failed surgical stabilization.