Remote cerebellar hemorrhage after lumbar spinal surgery

Abstract

Remote cerebellar hemorrhage (RCH) is a rare complication after supratentorial or spinal surgery. RCH is poorly known and hence probably underdiagnosed. Diminished consciousness and headache are the most common clinical features. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance reveal a characteristic pattern of linear bleeding between the cerebellar folia. The pathophysiological mechanism is disputed but is probably venous bleeding secondary to significant intraoperative or postoperative loss of cerebrospinal fluid. Multiple risk factors have been described, but postsurgical negative pressure drainage of cerebrospinal fluid is the only clearly predisposing factor. We present a case of RCH after spinal surgery with a literature review.