Spontaneous Dural Tear Caused by Grade-I Isthmus Spondylolisthesis: A Case Report.

CASE: A 47-year-old woman presented with severe left-sided sciatica and urinary retention. Computed tomography myelography revealed spondylolysis of the second lumbar vertebra with cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The patient underwent surgery; the 2 cauda equina filaments that had prolapsed from the dural tube were repositioned, along with the repair of the dura mater, followed by instrumented lumbar fusion. Postoperatively, the patient's leg pain was completely relieved; however, her urinary retention persisted.

CONCLUSION

Computed tomography myelography is important for the early diagnosis and detailed preoperative assessment of spontaneous dural tears, which are caused by osteophytes that form in areas of spondylosis.