Where is your dural sac?

The sleeve of dura is called the dural sac. It’s open at the top end, and closed at the bottom. Here at the base of the skull, the dural sac passes through the foramen magnum, becoming continuous with the layer of dura that surrounds the brain.

What is the dural sac made of?

It is a thick, fibroelastic membrane composed of collagen and elastin fibers that is a continuation of the cranial dura. At its cephalad origin, it fuses with the periosteum of the skull at the foramen magnum, and it continues caudally in a circumferential manner to its termination at approximately S2 in the adult.

Is a dural tear serious?

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage following dural tears can pose potentially serious problems such as CSF fistula formation, pseudomeningocele, meningitis, arachnoiditis and epidural abscess[1,3,10,12,15].

What is compression of the dural sac?

Thecal Sac Compression – The spinal cord and nerves are also protected by a membrane filled with cerebral spinal fluid known as the thecal sac or dural sac. Flattening or compression of the thecal sac will occur in other conditions that cause pressure or pinching of the spinal cord, such as stenosis.

What are the symptoms of a dural tear?

If your spine still has a dural tear, your spinal cord will leak this cerebrospinal fluid over time. This results in symptoms that include: Spinal Headache – Severe headache that may disappear when laying down. Spinal Meningitis – Sensitivity to light, fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, and possibly seizures.

What anchors the dural sac?

Spinal Meninges The tubular dural sac that encloses the spinal cord is attached cranially to the rim of the foramen magnum, and its closed caudal end is anchored to the coccyx by the filum terminale externum (Fig. 9.2). This dural sac is separated from the vertebrae by the epidural space.

Can a dural tear repair itself?

Blood does not pass through the spinal cord naturally, and since blood flow is necessary to clot and heal wounds, the dural mater cannot heal on its own.

How do you fix a dural tear?

Dural tears are repaired using microsurgical techniques – using a microscope and a fine needle. Small dural tears are sutured or stapled close, while larger ones are reconstructed with a patch or graft. Fat or fibrin glue may be used as a sealant to reinforce the repair.

Can a compressed spine be fixed?

Spinal cord compression surgery can include removing bone spurs, repairing fractured vertebrae, or stabilizing the spine with rods and screws or fusion. Treatments include: Emergency surgery to repair a broken spine, which may include removing bone or disc fragments.

What are the symptoms of dural ectasia?

The symptoms of dural ectasia vary. They include aching in the very low back, almost in the tailbone, as well as abdominal pain, headaches, and leg pain. Pain and numbness in the perineum (the area between the legs in front of the anus) can also occur.

What are dural signs?

Dural signs and symptoms are those that are related to the increase of dural irritation: traction exerted from a distance (straight leg raising and neck flexion) pulls on the inflamed dura or, via the dural ligaments, on the posterior longitudinal ligament or outer annular rim.

What is the dural sheath?

an extension of the dura mater that surrounds the spinal nerves of the spinal cord. The dural sheath extends beyond the end of the spinal cord, creating a cavity known as the lumbar cistern.

What is the function of the dural sac?

The dural sac and closely adherent arachnoid mater on its inner surface, are a barrier to drug migration into and out of the cerebrospinal fluid during epidural anesthesia.

Can a dural sac tear lead to fluid leakage?

A dural tear is a complication of spine surgery in which the thin covering over the spinal cord (called dura mater) is nicked by the surgeon’s instrument. Dural sac tears are nothing to mess around with. In their 2017 study, Chinese researchers assert that dural sac tears can lead to cerebrospinal fluid leakage,…

What does ballooning of the dural sac mean?

Dural ectasia. Dr Francis Deng and Dr Yuranga Weerakkody ◉ et al. Dural ectasia refers to ballooning or widening of the dural sac which can result in posterior vertebral scalloping and is associated with herniation of nerve root sleeves.

Can a screw be inserted into the dural sac?

Unintended entrance into the dural sac also may occur with instrumentation. Davne and Myers 6 studied 486 patients who underwent 533 variable screw placements during a 5-year period. They reported only occasional dural tears, all of which were repaired primarily, and none of which required reexploration.