Delayed Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak After Penetrating Cervical Trauma

Stab wound injury to the cervical spinal cord is a rare occurrence and usually presents with immediate, disastrous, and permanent neurological consequences. Rarer, and potentially as severe, is the complication of a delayed cerebrospinal fluid leak following a stab wound to the cervical spine. In this case, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates a cerebrospinal fluid leak that extends to the skin with injury to the posterior dura at the C1/C2 level. Epidemiology and management of penetrating cervical spinal cord injury and delayed cerebrospinal fluid leaks are discussed.