Intracranial Hypotension After Surgery for Idiopathic Scoliosis Managed Conservatively: A Case Report and Literature Review

Intracranial hypotension (IH) following scoliosis surgery is a rare complication, most commonly associated with dural injury or pedicle screw malposition, often requiring revision surgery. We present a case of postoperative IH after surgery for scoliosis that was successfully managed with conservative treatment alone. A 19-year-old female with idiopathic scoliosis underwent posterior spinal fusion from T2 to L1....

No actionable change — this case report describes a neurosurgical complication unrelated to audiology practice, though audiologists should be aware that intracranial hypotension can cause secondary auditory symptoms such as muffled hearing or tinnitus.

Intracranial hypotension can present with auditory symptoms including low-frequency hearing loss and tinnitus, making awareness of this rare post-surgical condition marginally relevant to audiologists encountering unexplained hearing changes in surgical patients.

1. 01Case report of intracranial hypotension (low cerebrospinal fluid pressure) following scoliosis surgery, managed without reoperation.
2. 02Likely caused by dural (spinal membrane) injury or misplaced pedicle screw during the procedure.
3. 03Intracranial hypotension can produce secondary auditory symptoms, including low-frequency hearing loss and tinnitus.
4. 04Conservative management (bed rest, hydration, caffeine, blood patch) was sufficient in this case.
5. 05Of very limited direct clinical relevance to routine audiology practice.

PMID

42460191

DOI

10.7759/cureus.110921.

Journal

Cureus

Publication type

case_report

Evidence level

4

Sample size

1

Population

Single pediatric or adolescent patient with idiopathic scoliosis who developed intracranial hypotension post-surgery

Intervention

Conservative management of intracranial hypotension (e.g., bed rest, hydration, epidural blood patch)