Spinal subdural hematoma following craniotomy: case report.
BACKGROUND
Spinal subdural hematomas (SSH) are a rare cause of spinal cord compression. SSH following clipping of an aneurysm has only been reported once. We now report such a case and discuss the mechanism of SSH development after aneurysmal neck clipping.


METHODS
A 32-year-old man complained of lumbago 7 days after craniotomy for the clipping of an aneurysm. Neurologic examination revealed no abnormality, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a lumbosacral spinal subdural hematoma. He received conservative management and his lumbago showed improvement. An MRI taken 19 days after surgery revealed a residual hematoma.


CONCLUSIONS
The downward movement of blood from the cranial subdural compartment under the influence of gravity is the most appropriate explanation for SSH following craniotomy.
Department of Neurosurgery, Cheongju, South Korea.
Myoung Soo
MS
Kim
Chun Kee
CK
Chung
Jin Woo
JW
Hur
Jong-Won
JW
Lee
Su-Ok
SO
Seong
Hyun Koo
HK
Lee
D000328:Adult; D003399:Craniotomy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis*