A report on three cases of chronic adult hydrocephalus occurring several months postlumbar spine surgery complicated by cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

Background: Chronic adult hydrocephalus (CAH) is believed to have an incidence rate between 0.2 and 5.5 cases/100,000 individuals. Although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown, several potential contributing factors have been identified, such as meningitis, cranial injuries, intradural tumors, malformations of the posterior fossa, neurological conditions, and complications arising from intracranial surgeries. These factors may lead to a delayed onset of symptoms associated with hydrocephalus, which include cognitive decline, mobility difficulties, and urinary incontinence. Case Description: We report three cases of patients who developed CAH within a timeframe of 10-14 months following spinal surgery, which was complicated by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. The close temporal relationship and the lack of other identifiable causes in their medical histories may suggest a possible causal link. While definitive evidence directly connecting complications from lumbar surgery to the onset of CAH is lacking, the observed temporal association and absence of alternative explanations in the patients' medical histories indicate a potential correlation. Conclusion: This observation highlights the necessity for further research into the connection between spine surgical procedures impacting the meninges and the subsequent emergence of normal pressure hydrocephalus, as well as the possible influence of CSF dynamics and neuroinflammatory processes in the development of CAH.