BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Aseptic meningitis has rarely been described after spinal surgery. No reports of aseptic meningitis exist after microdiscectomy in the literature. PURPOSE: To report on a case of aseptic meningitis in a patient after undergoing laminotomy and microdiscectomy at L4-L5. STUDY DESIGN/ SETTING: Case report. METHODS: A case of aseptic meningitis is reported after microdiscectomy at L4-L5 in a 31-year-old man. In this case, a patient underwent L4-L5 laminotomy and microdiscectomy for weakness and pain. He subsequently presented 3 days after with neck pain, photophobia, and fever. RESULTS: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination subsequently revealed a pattern for aseptic meningitis. CONCLUSIONS: Presentation of aseptic meningitis after microdiscectomy is a rare but important diagnosis to consider. Examination of CSF is an important procedure to rule out the more dangerous diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Aseptic meningitis has rarely been described after spinal surgery. No reports of aseptic meningitis exist after microdiscectomy in the literature. PURPOSE: To report on a case of aseptic meningitis in a patient after undergoing laminotomy and microdiscectomy at L4-L5. STUDY DESIGN/ SETTING: Case report. METHODS: A case of aseptic meningitis is reported after microdiscectomy at L4-L5 in a 31-year-old man. In this case, a patient underwent L4-L5 laminotomy and microdiscectomy for weakness and pain. He subsequently presented 3 days after with neck pain, photophobia, and fever. RESULTS: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination subsequently revealed a pattern for aseptic meningitis. CONCLUSIONS: Presentation of aseptic meningitis after microdiscectomy is a rare but important diagnosis to consider. Examination of CSF is an important procedure to rule out the more dangerous diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.