Severe and persistent coronavirus disease 2019 cough resulting in bone flap displacement and pseudomeningocele

Juan Silvestre Grecia Pascual; Kevin Ivan Peñaverde Chan; Kathleen Joy Ong-Lopez Khu

doi:10.25259/SNI_405_2021

Severe and persistent coronavirus disease 2019 cough resulting in bone flap displacement and pseudomeningocele

Surg Neurol Int. 2021 Jul 12:12:348. doi: 10.25259/SNI_405_2021. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Juan Silvestre Grecia Pascual¹, Kevin Ivan Peñaverde Chan¹, Kathleen Joy Ong-Lopez Khu¹

Affiliation

¹ Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, Philippine General Hospital, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines.

Abstract

Background: Cough is one of the most common symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. This relatively benign symptom may lead to serious sequelae, especially in postoperative neurosurgical patients.

Case description: Here, we report a case of bone flap displacement, pseudomeningocele formation, and consequent cerebrospinal fluid leak in a patient with COVID-19 infection who recently underwent craniotomy for excision of cerebral metastasis. We highlight the pathophysiologic mechanisms of cough that may cause increased intracranial pressure (ICP), leading to the postoperative morbidity.

Conclusion: Aside from additional risks to the patient's health and increased treatment costs, these complications also lead to subsequent delays in the management of the underlying disease. Symptomatic treatment of cough is advised to prevent complications resulting from increased ICP.

Keywords: Cancer; Complication; Coronavirus disease 2019; Cough; Pseudomeningocele.

Publication types

Case Reports