Spinal subdural hematoma: a rare cause of recurrent postoperative radiculopathy.
Spinal subdural hematoma is a rare condition with numerous etiologies. It is even more rare in the postoperative period and must be differentiated from the more common causes of postoperative pain and radiculopathy. We report a 36-year-old man presenting 6 weeks after surgery with incapacitating pain who was found to have a subdural but extraarachnoid fluid collection. We describe clinical presentation, radiological findings, etiology, and treatment. We conclude that, although rare, the spinal subdural hematoma should be considered in patients with postoperative pain. Prompt recognition and surgical evacuation are important for optimal recovery.
Reinsel
T E
TE
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612.
Goldberg
E
E
Granato
D B
DB
Wilkinson
S
S
Penn
R
R
D000328:Adult; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009192:Myelography; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed