Dural Tears

Description

Dural tears are unintended breaches in the dura mater, the tough outer membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. They commonly occur during spine surgeries, especially lumbar procedures. A tear can lead to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, causing symptoms like headaches, nausea, or nerve irritation. Risk factors include prior surgery, degenerative changes, or anatomical abnormalities. Diagnosis is clinical and may be confirmed by imaging. Treatment includes bed rest, epidural blood patch, or surgical repair, depending on severity and persistence of symptoms.