Huge Intra-abdominal Meningocele in a Patient With Neurofibromatosis 1 With Previous Posterior Spinal Fusion and Instrumentation Due to Severe Scoliosis

Anterior Lumbar Meningoceles (MCs) are rare in the patient with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Although spinal fusion with optimal resection of the meningocele might be indicated in these special cases, no report could completely describe a huge meningocele after posterior spinal instrumented fusion.

Here we present a 23 years old woman with a history of NF-1 and ‬previous posterior spinal fusion, who was referred to the neurosurgery department because of abdominal pain and retroperitoneal mass secondary to large anterior lumbar MC. The MC was filling the retroperitoneal cavity and protruded to the anterior wall of abdomen. ‬‬‬‬‬As an elective procedure, reduction and closure of cyst was achieved through posterior approach. Postoperatively, the patient reported satisfactory relief of abdominal pain.

Lumbar anterior MC is rare in the patients with NF1. When surgical intervention is indicated, ‬reduction of cele should be considered.