Remote Cerebellar Hemorrhage after Spinal Surgery

Abstract

This report details a case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with a herniated lumbar disc at L4-5 with congenital spondylolisthesis (grade II) and developed remote cerebellar hemorrhage following an iatrogenic acute reduction in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure during spinal interbody fusion. Possible mechanisms are discussed: however, pathological events leading to this complication are unclear. Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) must be considered in patient presenting with unexplained neurological deterioration not attributable to the spinal surgery, especially when the dura has been opened followed by significant CSF loss. (J Kor Neurotraumatol Soc 2010;6:162-164)