Turkish Neurosurgery
2010 , Vol 20 , Num 3
A Rare Complication of Spinal Surgery: Cerebelllar Hemorrhage
Karaelmas University, School of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery Zonguldak, Turkey
DOI :
10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.2283-09.2
Remote cerebellar hemorrhage (RCH) after spinal surgery is encountered
extremely rarely. A 64 year-old female patient developed symptoms of
deteriorating consciousness and diplopia arising on the first postoperative day
after recurrent spinal surgery. Cranial CT scan showed cerebral edema and
evidence of a cerebellar hemorrhage. Urgent suboccipital decompressive
craniectomy and expanded duraplasty were performed. Repeat CT at 24 h
revealed hydrocephalus and an external ventricular drain (EVD) was inserted for
20 days. The patient's consciousness deteriorated after withdrawal of the EVD
and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed. The patient recovered completely
except for gait ataxia and left foot drop. Although the exact cause is unknown
iatrogenic dural opening resulting in excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
drainage and secondary development of venous infarction have been suggested
to lead to RCH.
Keywords :
Cerebrospinal fluid, Drainage, Remote cerebellar hemorrhage Spinal surgery