title: Percutaneous drainage of a postoperative intraspinal hematoma using a Tuohy needle.
abstract: A 78-year-old man developed a large subdural hematoma extending from T12 to L3 levels following L3 laminectomy and L3-5 posterior spinal fusion. He had associated neurological signs and symptoms. MR imaging showed typical signal characteristics of a subacute intraspinal subdural hematoma. Percutaneous drainage was successfully performed under CT guidance by inserting a Tuohy needle through the L3 laminectomy defect. The catheter packaged with the Tuohy needle was inserted cranially into the hematoma and 30 ml of blood was aspirated. Follow-up MR imaging confirmed resolution of the hematoma and the patient made a rapid recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: Harvey E L
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Teo
authors.forename: Wilfred C G
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Peh
authors.forename: Seang Beng
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004322:Drainage; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*