Acute intracranial hematoma formation following excision of a cervical subdural tumor: a report of two cases and literature review
An intracranial hematoma is a rare, yet significant, complication following spinal surgery. The authors describe two cases with acute intracranial hematoma formation after excision of a cervical subdural schwannoma. One was a 14-year-old girl who developed bilateral intracranial extradural hematomas immediately following excision of the C4 subdural schwannoma. The other was a 59-year-old woman who had an acute cerebellar hematoma after removal of the C2–C5 subdural schwannoma. During the surgeries of both cases, spinal dura was partially removed together with the tumor and the dural sac could not be repaired, resulting in large amounts of intraoperative CSF loss and persistent postoperative CSF leakage. Both patients failed to regain consciousness from anesthesia after surgery, and a cranial CT scan identified large intracranial hematomas. Urgent hematoma evacuation was ultimately performed to save the patients. Based on the authors’ experience and literature review, a conclusion was drawn that considerable CSF leakage and a sharp decrease of CSF pressure are common features during the excision of a spinal subdural tumor, which may lead to acute intracranial hematomas. Continual postoperative monitoring in patients with this condition should be of a very high priority. A CT or MRI should be immediately investigated to exclude intracranial hematomas for any patient with delayed emergence from anesthesia following spinal surgery. Hematoma evacuation is indispensable once an intracranial hematoma is identified in the patient who fails to regain consciousness from anesthesia post surgery. Furthermore, the possible pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the formation of an intracranial hematoma after spinal procedures, particularly after manipulations of a cervical subdural tumor, are discussed.
- Research Article
108
- 10.1097/01.brs.0000192208.66360.29
- Dec 1, 2005
- Spine
Case report. To report a case of an acute intracranial subdural hematoma that formed due to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak following lumbar surgery. Intracranial hypotension may occur when CSF is removed from the subarachnoid space. Intracranial subdural hematoma formation has been observed following significant CSF drainage during lumbar puncture or ventricular shunt placement. However, formation has been described only twice in the literature following spine surgery. Retrospective review of the patient's medical record and head CT imaging. A 55-year-old woman underwent lumbar surgery for failed back syndrome. Intraoperatively, a dural tear was noted and repaired. One week later, she developed expressive aphasia, and CSF drainage from her lumbar wound was noted. A head CT revealed an acute intracranial subdural hematoma with mass effect. Evacuation of the hematoma occurred via craniotomy, and the lumbar dura was repaired intraoperatively. We report the rare case of an acute intracranial subdural hematoma caused by a CSF leak following lumbar surgery. This report illustrates the potential morbidity associated with CSF leaks occurring after spinal surgery.
- Research Article
4
- 10.1016/j.esas.2010.11.001
- Jan 28, 2011
- SAS Journal
Intracranial subdural hematoma as a cause of postoperative delirium and headache in cervical laminoplasty: A case report and review of the literature
- Research Article
30
- 10.1097/bpb.0b013e32833f33d1
- Jan 1, 2011
- Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics B
To report a case of acute intracranial subdural hematoma, pneumocephalus, and pneumorachis, which occurred because of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak caused by a malpositioned transpedicular screw during spinal surgery for severe myelodysplastic scoliosis accompanied with hydrocephalus. Intracranial hemorrhage may occur as a consequence of dural sac penetration and CSF leakage after various medical procedures at the spinal level. The awareness of this severe complication is especially important during spinal instrumentation procedures in which inadvertent dural sac violation and CSF loss may be overlooked. A case report and literature review are presented here. A 12-year-old girl with a history of myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus underwent instrumentation for severe myelodysplastic scoliosis. Postoperatively, she became aphasic and increasingly somnolent. An urgent computed tomographic scan of the head and spine showed massive intracranial hematoma, pneumocephalus, pneumorachis, and a malpositioned pedicular screw that caused CSF leakage, intracranial hypotension, and bleeding remote from the surgical site. The patient needed neurosurgical cranial decompression and subsequent spinal reoperation with dural tear repair. The final outcome was an uneventful complete recovery. The increasing use of pedicular screws in spinal surgery carries a potential risk of occult dural sac violation with subsequent CSF leakage, intracranial hypotension, and the possibility of intracranial bleeding and pneumocephalus remote from the surgical site. This potentially fatal complication should always be considered after spinal surgery in the presence of early signs of neurological deterioration and necessitates an urgent cranial and spinal imaging to confirm the diagnosis and to make adequate treatment decisions.
- Research Article
- 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1673-4203.2009.10.005
- Oct 31, 2009
- 国际外科学杂志
Objective To investigate the treatment method of the contralateral delayed intracranial hematoma secondary to acute intracranial hematoma intraoperative removsal of one side.Methods A retrospectire analysis Was made in of 13 cases of contralateral delayed intracranial hematoma secondary to acute intracranial hematoma intraoperative removal of one side,we used bilateral hematoma removal in one craniotomy.Results Assessment ofprognosis was done by GOS,4 cases were good,4 cases were residual,2 cases were severely disabiled,1 case was vegetative,2 cases ded.Conclusion One craniotomy for the treatment of contralateral delayed intracranial hematoma secondary to acute intracranial hematoma removal of one side can improve survival rate and quality of life. Key words: acute intracranial hematoma; intraoperative; delayed intracranial hematoma; one craniotomy; decompression by large craniectomy
- Research Article
98
- 10.1097/00006123-199011000-00001
- Nov 1, 1990
- Neurosurgery
We have analyzed features of patients who had what appeared initially to be a minor head injury but who developed an acute traumatic intracranial hematoma. Over a 10-year period, 183 patients who were able to open their eyes spontaneously, were oriented to person, place, and time, and who obeyed commands when they were first seen at a hospital subsequently underwent operation for an acute intracranial hematoma. The hematoma was extradural in 54% of these patients. A history of altered consciousness or symptoms of headache and vomiting were present in 61% of the patients; 33% had a focal neurological deficit, and 43% had either focal deficit or signs of a basal skull fracture. A skull fracture was shown radiologically in 60% of patients, including 52% of those not clinically suspected of having an intracranial lesion. Six months after injury, 77% of the patients had made a moderate or good recovery. The possibility that a patient who has recently sustained a head injury might develop an acute intracranial hematoma can never be completely discounted, even when there are no abnormal clinical signs, and a skull x-ray retains a useful place in the investigation of selected patients with a minor head injury.
- Research Article
2
- 10.1016/j.inat.2022.101591
- May 17, 2022
- Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery
Life-threatening intracranial subdural hematoma following spinal surgery: A case report
- Research Article
3
- 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i23.5430
- Aug 16, 2023
- World Journal of Clinical Cases
Intracranial hemorrhage after spinal surgery is a rare and devastating complication. To investigate the economic burden, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and mechanisms of intracranial hemorrhage after spinal surgery. A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2022. Patients aged ≥ 18 years, who had undergone spinal surgery were included. Intracranial hemorrhage patients were selected after spinal surgery during hospitalization. Based on the type of spinal surgery, patients with intracranial hemorrhage were randomly matched in a 1:5 ratio with control patients without intracranial hemorrhage. The patients' pre-, intra-, and post-operative data and clinical manifestations were recorded. A total of 24472 patients underwent spinal surgery. Six patients (3 males and 3 females, average age 71.3 years) developed intracranial hemorrhage after posterior spinal fusion procedures, with an incidence of 0.025% (6/24472). The prevailing type of intracranial hemorrhage was cerebellar hemorrhage. Two patients had a poor clinical outcome. Based on the type of surgery, 30 control patients were randomly matched in 1:5 ratio. The intracranial hemorrhage group showed significant differences compared with the control group with regard to age (71.33 ± 7.45 years vs 58.39 ± 8.07 years, P = 0.001), previous history of cerebrovascular disease (50% vs 6.7%, P = 0.024), spinal dura mater injury (50% vs 3.3%, P = 0.010), hospital expenses (RMB 242119.1 ± 87610.0 vs RMB 96290.7 ± 32029.9, P = 0.009), and discharge activity daily living score (40.00 ± 25.88 vs 75.40 ± 18.29, P = 0.019). The incidence of intracranial hemorrhage after spinal surgery was extremely low, with poor clinical outcomes. Patient age, previous stroke history, and dura mater damage were possible risk factors. It is suggested that spinal dura mater injury should be avoided during surgery in high-risk patients.
- Research Article
25
- 10.1016/0090-3019(87)90223-0
- Dec 1, 1987
- Surgical Neurology
Implications of systemic hypotension for the neurological examination in patients with severe head injury
- Research Article
- 10.3877/cma.j.issn.2095-9141.2015.05.004
- Oct 15, 2015
Objective To explore the puncture treatment of the acute traumatic intracerebral hematoma, clear the feasibility, curative effect and treatment indications, improve the prognosis and success rate of treatment. Methods There were 27 typical acute traumatic intracerebral hematoma cases from January 2000 to May 2003, the volume between 15-60 ml, CT positioning the center of hematoma and puncture point, minimally invasive puncture hematoma, then suction, urokinase liquefaction, drainage and clearance the hematoma, within 3 days pulling out the puncture needle after CT displaying of the hematoma clearanced almostly. Result Compare the postoperative CT measurement with preoperative, the hematoma amount reduce 30%-60%, all of the hematoma was basic clearanced within 3 days. All cases were recovered, 10 cases with preoperative coma awaked after 1-5 days, 12 cases of headache symptom apparently alleviated on the day of surgery, contralateral limb weakness in 15 cases, 3 cases improved, after the operation 10 cases gradually improved a month later, 2 cases with limb light paralysis; 3 cases had mild language barriers 6 months later, contralateral limbstrength grade 3 in 2 cases, 5 cases of serious intellectual decline; secondary hydrocephalus in 1 cases, 3 cases of epilepsy, without intracranial effusion or chronic hematoma. According to the ADL classification, 18, 5, 4 weae in grade Ⅰ,gradeⅡ, gradeⅢ. Conclusion The puncture removal treatment of acute traumatical intracerebral hematoma is minimally invasive, less complications, the prognosis is good. Key words: Traumatic acute intracranial hematoma; Puncture drainage
- Research Article
32
- 10.1016/j.jmpt.2007.07.005
- Sep 1, 2007
- Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Acute Intracranial Subdural Hematoma After Epidural Steroid Injection: A Case Report
- Research Article
- 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1008-6315.2009.09.002
- Sep 1, 2009
Objective To investigate the key procedures of the acute traumatic intracranial hematoma com-bined with herniation and the prognosis factors. Methods 45 cases of acute traumatic intraeranial hematoma com-bined with herniation from February 1997 to June 2008 were admitted in our hospital. Timely establishment of effec-tive ventilation and circulation and pre-operative examination were done to all the eases. Craniotomy hematoma clean was performed in 8 cases, hematoma clean and decompressive craniectomy was canducted in 33 cases and 4 cases were not operatively treated. Results 26 eases (58%) were cured,and 19 cases (42%) died. Conclusions The key procedures of the acute tranmatie intraeranial hematoma combined with herniation is timely establishment of ef-fective ventilation and circulation, and that is effective method to prevent secondary brain injury ; removing hematoma as soon as possible,and lifting the oppression of the brain stem are the keys to rescue patients. Prognosis is closely related to the degree of primary brain injury, eonseious level before operation and the time of herniation appearance. Key words: Intracranial hematoma; Herniation ; Hematoma clear; Prognosis
- Research Article
- 10.18502/jsp.v4i3.17930
- Jul 31, 2025
- Journal of Spine Practice
BackgroundCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a known complication of spine surgery, and an effective protocol for prevention, recognition, and treatment of postoperative CSF leak is essential to avoid a cascade of associated adverse outcomes, such as durocutaneous fistula, wound infection, and intracranial hemorrhage. We aim to identify the incidence of CSF leak post spinal surgeries and to obtain the factors that could predict the risks of having a CSF leak following spine surgeries. MethodsThis study was conducted as a retrospective cohort study on patients who had CSF leaks post spinal surgery in King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Jeddah, from June 2016 to January 2024. ResultsThe occurrence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak post-surgery was relatively low (2.6%), and more than 97% of the participants studied had no CSF leak. There is a statistically insignificant relation with age, gender, DM, BMI, hypertension, malignancy, and cardiovascular diseases. Still, there is a statistically significant relation with the attempt to watertight closure, and type of surgery (P value ≤ 0.05). ConclusionPostoperative CSF leak following spinal surgery is associated with morbidity and can lead to re-operation and infection. The incidence of CSF leaks among our study participants was about 2.6%, which is relatively low. Identifying predictors for CSF leaks can assist in counseling patients concerning surgical risk and expected postoperative recovery.
- Research Article
6
- 10.1007/s00381-015-2682-x
- Mar 26, 2015
- Child's Nervous System
Intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume depletion causes diverse clinical syndromes most of them constituting the manifestations of decreased intracranial pressure. Subdural collections or chronic subdural hematomas are the best-known consequences of persistent CSF leaks, especially in overshunted hydrocephalus. Continuous CSF escape also occurs after lumbar puncture, spinal anesthesia, and diverse spinal surgeries. A 6-year-old boy submitted to reoperation of spinal cord compression due to partial sacral agenesis complained of postoperative orthostatic headaches and vomiting initially attributed to CSF hypotension. There were neither subcutaneous fluid accumulations nor CSF leakage from the wound. The child was treated with strict bed rest and intravenous hydration for 5 days. On reassuming orthostatism, the patient had syncope but did not hit his head. A cranial computerized tomography scan showed an acute subdural hematoma that was managed conservatively with total recovery. A review of current literature showed scanty reports of acute intracranial bleeding occurring after CSF depletion following spinal surgical procedures. To our knowledge, our reported patient represents the second case of this occurrence following surgery for closed spinal dysraphism in a child. The authors briefly review documented instances of acute subdural hematoma following spinal procedures, advise about its diagnosis, and suggest preventive measures.
- Research Article
8
- 10.3340/jkns.2014.55.6.348
- Jun 1, 2014
- Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
ObjectiveManagement guidelines for single intracranial hematomas have been established, but the optimal management of multiple hematomas has little known. We present bilateral traumatic supratentorial hematomas that each has enough volume to be evacuated and discuss how to operate effectively it in a single anesthesia.MethodsIn total, 203 patients underwent evacuation and/or decompressive craniectomies for acute intracranial hematomas over 5 years. Among them, only eight cases (3.9%) underwent operations for bilateral intracranial hematomas in a single session. Injury mechanism, initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, types of intracranial lesions, surgical methods, and Glasgow outcome scale were evaluated.ResultsThe most common injury mechanism was a fall (four cases). The types of intracranial lesions were epidural hematoma (EDH)/intracerebral hematoma (ICH) in five, EDH/EDH in one, EDH/subdural hematoma (SDH) in one, and ICH/SDH in one. All cases except one had an EDH. The EDH was addressed first in all cases. Then, the evacuation of the ICH was performed through a small craniotomy or burr hole. All patients except one survived.ConclusionBilateral intracranial hematomas that should be removed in a single-session operation are rare. Epidural hematomas almost always occur in these cases and should be removed first to prevent the hematoma from growing during the surgery. Then, the other hematoma, contralateral to the EDH, can be evacuated with a small craniotomy.
- Research Article
57
- 10.3171/2013.6.spine12863
- Jul 12, 2013
- Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine
The authors describe the largest case series of 8 patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after spinal surgery and identify associated pre-, intra-, and postoperative risk factors in relation to outcome. The authors retrospectively reviewed the cases of 8 patients treated over 16 years at a single institution and also reviewed the existing literature and collected demographic, treatment, and outcome information from 33 unique cases of remote ICH after spinal surgery. The risk factors most correlated with ICH postoperatively were the presence of a CSF leak intraoperatively and the use of drains postoperatively with moderate hourly serosanguineous output in the early postoperative period. Intracranial hemorrhage is a rare complication of spinal surgery that is associated with CSF leakage and use of drains postoperatively, with moderate serosanguinous output. These associations do not justify a complete avoidance of drains in patients with CSF leakage but may guide the treating physician to keep in mind drain output and timing of drain removal, while noting any changes in neurological examination status in the meantime. Additionally, continued and worsening neurological symptoms after spinal surgery may warrant cranial imaging to rule out intracranial hemorrhage, usually within the first 24 hours after surgery. The presence of cerebellar hemorrhage and hydrocephalus indicated a trend toward worse outcome.