Table 3. Complications associated with dural tears.

Complication	Comment
Duro-cutaneous fistula	The formation of a fistula between the dura and the skin can subsequently result in either arachnoiditis, or epidural abscess, or meningitis.
Cerebrospinal fluid leak	A continuous leak predisposes to the development of pseudomeningocele formation and possible trapping of nerve roots with associated neurologic symptoms. The symptoms may include sciatica and cranial nerve palsies; for example, strabismus may occur as a result of a cranial nerve VI palsy.
Headache	A debilitating orthostatic headache often arises. The headache is postural; when the patient sits upright, it occurs, and when the patient is recumbent, it resolves.
Subcutaneous fluid collection	Proper wound healing may be prevented by fluid collection. This can result in breakdown of the wound, incision site infection, or both.