Risk Factors and Treatment Strategies for Subcutaneous Effusion Secondary to Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage After Craniotomy.

Objective: To confirm the incidence of subcutaneous effusion secondary to cerebrospinal fluid leakage after craniotomy, analyze the risk factors for cerebrospinal fluid leakage leading to subcutaneous effusion, summarize the underlying causes of its occurrence and explore the corresponding treatment strategies.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 757 patients who underwent craniotomy at our hospital from January to December 2023. The authors documented the sex, age, surgical characteristics, and history of chronic diseases for all patients, including those who developed subcutaneous effusion secondary to cerebrospinal fluid leakage. These factors were subjected to univariate regression analysis, and the identified risk factors were evaluated in a multivariate regression analysis.

Results: Among 757 patients who underwent craniotomy, 15 developed subcutaneous effusion secondary to cerebrospinal fluid leakage, representing an incidence of 1.98%. This group included 5 patients with acoustic neuroma surgery, 4 with neurovascular decompression, 4 with meningioma surgery, 1 patient undergoing a posterior corpus callosotomy for epilepsy, and 1 patient with cerebellar cavernoma resection. Factors such as acoustic neuroma surgery, neurovascular decompression, infratentorial surgery, longer surgical durations, larger cranial bone removals, higher body mass index, and smoking were associated with an increased risk of developing subcutaneous effusion secondary to cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The average time to onset was 40.8 ± 37.16 days. Three patients with subcutaneous effusion experienced elevated body temperatures, with one testing positive in blood cultures; no other complications were noted. All patients initially received conservative treatment and subsequently underwent surgical repair for the cerebrospinal fluid leak an average of 45.4 ± 57.94 days later, ultimately resulting in recovery and discharge.

Conclusion: In 2023, the incidence of subcutaneous effusion secondary to cerebrospinal fluid leakage after craniotomy at our hospital was 1.98%. The fundamental cause of this complication is the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the dura mater, leading to incomplete dural closure and subsequent fluid leakage. Factors such as younger age, acoustic neuroma surgery, neurovascular decompression, infratentorial surgery, longer surgery durations, larger cranial bone removals, higher body mass index, and smoking are associated with an increased risk of subcutaneous effusion. Once subcutaneous effusion occurs, conservative management is the initial step. To optimize outcomes, surgical repair of the cerebrospinal fluid leak should follow conservative treatment. This approach can significantly reduce the likelihood of treatment failure, decrease hospital stays, and cut unnecessary costs.