Subdural hygroma following posterior fossa tumor resection

Abstract

Subdural hygroma is an unusual complication of posterior fossa tumor surgery. We present two cases where patients developed subdural hygroma following posterior fossa surgery for brain tumors. This rare complication manifested with headaches, nausea, unsteadiness and nystagmus two weeks after seemingly uncomplicated surgery. There have been a few such cases described in the literature; mostly following foramen magnum decompression. The exact etiology of subdural hygroma post-posterior fossa surgery remains unknown; however, there are speculations that external hydrocephalus and intracranial hypotension may play a part. After exhausting conservative options, both patients underwent ventriculo-peritoneal shunting, which resulted in the resolution of their symptoms with corresponding resolution of the subdural hygroma on radiological imaging. We present two cases where subdural hygroma following surgery was successfully treated with a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. We also highlight the paucity in literature regarding subdural hygroma as a complication of posterior fossa surgery and suggest management of such patients.