Spontaneous spinal hematomas: A case series.

PURPOSE: Spontaneous spinal hematoma (SSH), a rare neurological disorder, demands immediate diagnostic evaluation and intervention to prevent lasting deficits. This case series analyzes instances, particularly highlighting cases where vascular causes were identified despite inconclusive initial imaging. METHODS: In a retrospective study of 20 patients treated for SSH at a Level I spine center from 01/01/2017 to 11/15/2023, we examined demographics, clinical presentation, imaging, and treatment details. Excluding traumatic cases, we present 4 instances of SSH associated with diverse vascular pathologies. RESULTS: Patient ages ranged from 39 to 85 years, with a median age of 66 years. 45% were male, and 55% were female. Among 20 cases, 14 were epidural hematomas, 4 subdural, 1 combined epidural and subdural, and 1 subarachnoid hemorrhage. 85% presented with neurological deficits, while 3 solely had pain-related symptoms. 55% were under anticoagulant medication, and vascular anomalies were found in 25% of cases. The cause of SSH remained unclear in 20% of cases. MRI was performed for all patients, and DSA was conducted in 25% of cases. The 4 highlighted cases involved individuals with distinct vascular pathologies managed surgically. CONCLUSION: Urgent attention is crucial for SSH due to possible lasting neurological consequences. The study emphasizes comprehensive diagnostics and surgical exploration, especially in cases with unclear etiology, to identify and address vascular causes, preventing hematoma progression or recurrence. Despite their rarity, vascular malformations contributing to spinal hematomas warrant particular attention.

Risk factors for spinal subdural hematoma after minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar Interbody Fusion (MI-TLIF): a multivariate analysis.

BACKGROUND: Spinal subdural hematoma (SSH) is a rare cause of compression of the neutral elements of the spinal cord. However, little is known about the presentation of acute SSH after lumbar spine surgery. The reason for this may be that symptomatic SSH occurs rarely and is not given enough attention by spine surgeons. Currently, the decision to perform MRI postoperatively is more dependent on surgeon preference; therefore, no high-quality studies have been published. Our team reports our experience in the diagnosis and management of SSH after lumbar decompression and fusion surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 215 patients who underwent routine MRI following minimal invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) between 2020-01-01 and 2022-06-30. The patients were divided into SSH group (17 cases) and non-SSH group (198 cases) according to the occurrence of SSH. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify relevant risk factors that increase the risk of SSH postoperatively. RESULTS: None of the patients presented with serious neurologic symptoms, such as lower extremity paralysis or cauda equina syndrome that required emergency hematoma debridement. SSH was found in 17 (7.9%) patients and non-SSH in 198 (92.1%). Factors affecting SSH were presence of hypertension, presence of diabetes and postoperative anticoagulant therapy. The significantly independent risk factor of postoperative SSH were diabetes (P = 0.008, OR: 6.988) and postoperative anticoagulant therapy (P = 0.003, OR: 8.808). CONCLUSIONS: SSH after MI-TLIF is not a rare condition, with generally no requirement of emergency evacuation. Comprehensive anti-symptomatic treatment could achieve satisfactory results. Diabetes mellitus and postoperative anticoagulant therapy are independent risk factors for SSH. Spine surgeons should hold applicability of the use of anticoagulants after lumbar surgery.

Non-iatrogenic spontaneous acute spinal subdural haematoma after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

PURPOSE: Reporting a rare case of a non-iatrogenic spontaneously resolved spinal subdural haematoma (SSDH) following revision of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and its possible explanation. METHODS: Case report of a 40-year-old man with a history of persistent lower back and left lower extremity radicular pain, secondary to recurrent disc prolapse, lumbar spondylosis with foraminal stenosis. He underwent an L5/S1 transforaminal interbody fusion via a right sided approach (through previous lumbar microdiscectomy incision). On post-operative day two, the patient developed headache and photophobia that were discovered to be secondary to an acute thoracolumbar subdural haematoma with no objective neurological deficit. RESULTS: After close observation of his neurological status and conservative management of the subdural haematoma, the patient fully recovered from his symptoms and remained problem-free at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although the occurrence of acute spinal subdural haematoma after spinal surgery is a rare complication following spinal surgery, its appropriate management relies on early recognition if significant morbidity is to be avoided.

Concomitant spontaneous spinal and posterior fossa subdural hematoma in an 11-year-old child with aplastic anemia: a case report and review of literature.

PURPOSE: The current article describes an 11-year-old male who has aplastic anemia with an extremely rare condition, that is, concomitant posterior fossa SDH and spinal SDH. METHODS: This is a case report and review of literature. CASE PRESENTATION: This case presents an 11-year-old male known to have aplastic anemia complained of neck and back pain, headache, and persistent vomiting for 3 days. He had no history of head or spine trauma at all. His parents are relatives "positive consanguinity," and his sister suffers from aplastic anemia. Clinical examination revealed severe pallor at the time of presentation, with no neurologic or locomotor deficit and positive Kernig's sign. CONCLUSION: Patients with aplastic anemia or any bleeding disorder conditions should be investigated thoroughly if symptoms denoted a CNS pathology. Concomitant cranial and spinal SDH rarely occurs, and more studies are advocated to be structured to investigate the specific pathophysiology and etiologies of this condition.

SPINAL SUBDURAL HEMATOMA ASSOCIATED WITH LUMBAR PUNCTURE - A CASE REPORT.

Spinal subdural hematoma caused by lumbar puncture is a rare state of acute blood clot in spinal subdural space, and in some cases, it can be the cause of local compression and consecutive neurological symptoms. We present a 36-year-old female patient who was hospitalized due to persistent headache despite pharmacological therapy. Therefore, we performed lumbar puncture in order to measure intracranial pressure and evaluate cerebrospinal fluid. After lumbar puncture, the patient was complaining of pain in the lumbar region. Emergency magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbosacral (LS) region was performed to show acute subdural hematoma of up to 7.3 mm in the dorsal part of the spinal canal at the level of L1 vertebra to the inferior endplate of L4 vertebra. Repeat LS MRI after 3 hours showed unchanged finding. The patient reported gradual regression of pain in the LS region over the next few days, therefore conservative treatment was applied. Patients with a previously known blood clotting disorder and patients on anticoagulation therapy have worse outcome as compared with patients without such disorders. During treatment, it is necessary to monitor patient clinical state and consider the need of surgical treatment.

Spinal subdural hematoma and subdural anesthesia following combined spinal-epidural anesthesia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Subdural anesthesia and spinal subdural hematoma are rare complications of combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. We present a patient who developed both after multiple attempts to achieve combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 21-year-old parturient, gravida 1, para 1, with twin pregnancy at gestational age 34+ 5 weeks underwent cesarean delivery. Routine combined spinal-epidural anesthesia was planned; however, no cerebrospinal fluid outflow was achieved after several attempts. Bupivacaine (2.5 mL) administered via a spinal needle only achieved asymmetric blockade of the lower extremities, reaching T12. Then, epidural administration of low-dose 2-chlorprocaine caused unexpected blockade above T2 as well as tinnitus, dyspnea, and inability to speak. The patient was intubated, and the twins were delivered. Ten minutes after the operation, the patient was awake with normal tidal volume. The endotracheal tube was removed, and she was transferred to the intensive care unit for further observation. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging suggested a spinal subdural hematoma extending from T12 to the cauda equina. Sensory and motor function completely recovered 5 h after surgery. She denied headache, low back pain, or other neurologic deficit. The patient was discharged 6 days after surgery. One month later, repeat MRI was normal. CONCLUSIONS: All anesthesiologists should be aware of the possibility of SSDH and subdural block when performing neuraxial anesthesia, especially in patients in whom puncture is difficult. Less traumatic methods of achieving anesthesia, such as epidural anesthesia, single-shot spinal anesthesia, or general anesthesia should be considered in these patients. Furthermore, vital signs and neurologic function should be closely monitored during and after surgery.

Iatrogenic intra-spinal subdural haematoma: An exceptionally rare phenomenon.

Spinal subdural haematoma (SSDH) is very rare but potentially life debilitating spinal vascular condition, often developing acutely. Usually managed conservatively but may require immediate evacuation to prevent potential harm to the spinal cord. Predisposing factors can be spontaneous or iatrogenic. MRI remains the modality of choice to diagnose and see the age and extent of haemorrhage. We hereby present the case of a young child who developed iatrogenic spinal subdural haematoma.

Spontaneous Spinal Subdural Hematoma after Percutaneous Mechanical Thrombectomy Combined with Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Deep Venous Thrombosis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis is one of the most important methods for deep venous thrombosis treatment. Spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma is a remarkably rare complication in the thrombolysis process with catastrophic consequences, as shown in this case report. METHODS: Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, percutaneous angioplasty, and catheter-directed thrombolysis were performed for the patient. Postoperatively, the patient was diagnosed with spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma and received a series of medical treatments and surgical interventions. RESULTS: The patient was still paraplegic and incontinent at the postoperative 7-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologic symptoms must be monitored carefully both during and after the thrombolysis procedure. The onset of spinal neurologic deficits in any patient must raise the suspicion that a spinal subdural hematoma has occurred. Surgical decompression beyond 24 hr may cause permanent neurological damage.

Spontaneous lumbar spinal subdural hematoma: a case report.

Spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH) is an uncommon disease causing acute onset of spinal disorder. Several causes of SSDH have been reported, but reports of spontaneous occurrence of SSDH are limited.

Analysis of detailed clinical characteristics of spinal subdural hematoma following lumbar decompression surgery.

BACKGROUND: Only a few reports have described symptomatic patients with postoperative spinal subdural hematoma (SSH) for which further surgery may have been required. No report has focused on the detailed clinical characteristics of postoperative SSH, including asymptomatic cases, in a case series. The reasons for this may be that SSH is an implicitly recognized rare entity, and there is no established consensus regarding the significance of performing postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for all cases and the time at which to perform it. In this case-controlled retrospective analysis, we attempted to identify a detailed clinical presentation of SSH after open lumbar decompression surgery using MRI taken uniformly at 14 days before hospital discharge. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 196 patients who underwent routine MRI following open lumbar spinous process-splitting decompression surgery between 2012 and 2016. We assessed the frequency, clinical presentation, and radiological findings of SSH that developed postoperatively. Furthermore, we used a multivariate analysis to identify factors that were postulated to increase the risk of SSH postoperatively. RESULTS: None of the patients developed serious neurologic deficits, such as paresis or bladder and bowel dysfunction that required emergency evacuation. However, our results showed that postoperative SSHs, including asymptomatic SSHs, developed considerably frequently (43/182 patients, 23.6%). Furthermore, of the 43 patients with SSH, three presented with new postoperative neurologic findings that were strongly suspected to be associated with SSH. Multivariate analysis identified that preoperative hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.501, P = 0.018), anticoagulant therapy (aOR: 2.716, P = 0.021), and multilevel procedures (aOR: 2.327, P = 0.034) were significant risk factors of postoperative SSH. CONCLUSIONS: Spine surgeons should be aware that postoperative SSH is not rare and is a potential cause of recurrent pain or neurologic deterioration perioperatively.

Acute Intracranial and Spinal Subdural Hematoma Associated with Vardenafil.

A 28-year-old healthy man was admitted to our hospital because of right-sided headache, vomiting, and lower back pain after the administration of vardenafil. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a small, right-sided, subdural hematoma. A lumbar magnetic resonance imaging showed a longitudinally extended subdural hematoma. He had no history of trauma. We speculated that vardenafil might have had an association with the bleeding. Several reports have suggested a relationship between phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Our case suggested that there may also be risks of bleeding into the subdural space. Although headache and nausea are common side effects of vardenafil, hemorrhagic diseases should also be considered when symptoms are severe or prolonged.

Acute non-traumatic idiopathic spinal subdural hematoma: radiographic findings and surgical results with a literature review.

PURPOSE: Intraspinal hematoma is a serious condition, and early diagnosis is necessary to permit emergency treatment. Among such hematomas, non-traumatic spinal subdural hematoma is a rare occurrence. We have experienced three patients with surgically proven subdural spinal hematoma, and here we report these cases with a review of their clinical and imaging characteristics. METHODS: All three cases were idiopathic with no history of disease, no coagulopathy, and no trauma. All had acute onset that brought about paralysis of the lower limbs with severe pain. Early surgery was performed, based on a relatively early diagnosis using thoracolumbar MRI and CT. RESULTS: Since the epidural fat is not affected by bleeding, the normal structure remains and the boundary between hematoma and fat is a significant feature in MRI and CT. Partial Gd enhancement in MRI and ring enhancement in contrast CT were also apparent. Two of the cases had subarachnoid hematomas. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative diagnosis of spinal subarachnoid hematoma is difficult because there are no specific radiological findings and confirmation can only occur intraoperatively. In particular, one case had a massive hematoma causing canal stenosis, and it was difficult to distinguish between intradural and extradural hematoma. In all cases of subarachnoid or subdural hematoma, decompression was performed within 24 h after onset, and consequently, the patients had relatively good outcomes.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Spinal Subdural Hematoma Due to Acute CSF Hypotension.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and spinal subdural hematoma (SDH) are rare complications of spine surgery, thought to be precipitated by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypotension in the setting of an intraoperative durotomy or postoperative CSF leak. Considerable clinical variability has been reported, requiring a high level of clinical suspicion in patients with a new, unexplained neurologic deficit after spine surgery. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: An 84-year-old man developed symptomatic spinal stenosis with bilateral lower extremity pseudoclaudication. He underwent L3-5 laminectomy at an outside institution, complicated by a small, incidental, unrepairable intraoperative durotomy. On postoperative day 2, he became confused; and head CT demonstrated intracranial SAH with blood products along the superior cerebellum and bilateral posterior Sylvian fissures. He was transferred to our neurosciences ICU for routine SAH care, with improvement in encephalopathy over several days of supportive care. On postoperative day 10, the patient developed new bilateral lower extremity weakness; MRI of the lumbar spine demonstrated worsening acute spinal SDH above the laminectomy defect, from L4-T12. He was taken to the OR for decompression, at which time a complex 1.5-cm lumbar durotomy was identified and repaired primarily. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case of simultaneous intracranial SAH and spinal SDH attributable to postoperative CSF hypotension in the setting of a known intraoperative durotomy. Although rare, each of these entities has the potential to precipitate a poor neurologic outcome, which may be mitigated by early recognition and treatment.

Syringomyelia following surgery for a spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma in a 13-year-old girl with congenital von Willebrand disease: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Spontaneous spinal subdural hematomas are rare. Their occurrence in a child with congenital von Willebrand disease and the complication of their surgery by a large secondary syringomyelia have never been previously reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 13-year-old girl with congenital von Willebrand disease presented to our emergency department in January 2011 for sudden onset of severe back pain centered in her thoracic spine rapidly aggravated by signs of acute myelopathy without any precipitating factor. MRI scan revealed a thoracic subdural collection anterior to the spinal cord at the T7-T9 level, hyperintense on T1- and T2-weighted sequences consistent with an acute spinal subdural hemorrhage. Evacuation of the subdural hematoma was realized immediately after hemostasis parameter correction, and post-operative course was uneventful with full functional recovery. One year later, the patient presented once again but with progressive and more severe myelopathy caused by a large syringomyelia extending from the T5 level to the conus medullaris. A syringopleural shunting was performed and the patient was unrolled under an intensive care and rehabilitation program. Her condition remarkably improved and she became able to walk independently within 2 weeks post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: von Willebrand disease should be included as a possible factor of spontaneous spinal subdural hemorrhage. Surgery is advised in emergency and can be associated with remarkable recovery especially in children. Delayed syringomyelia can complicate the post-operative course and can be successfully addressed by syringopleural shunting. Long-term clinical and radiological follow-up is advocated.

Nontraumatic spinal subdural hematoma complicating direct factor Xa inhibitor treatment (rivaroxaban): a challenging management.

PURPOSE: We report on a 72-year-old male patient who developed a nontraumatic spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH) during rivaroxaban therapy, a relatively new orally administered direct factor Xa inhibitor. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient sustained a sudden onset of interscapular pain, followed by gait impairment and paraplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine demonstrated SSDH from T6 to T8. Laboratory tests revealed a high rivaroxaban level, associated with a major hemorrhagic risk. Surgery was, therefore, performed the following morning, after normalization of coagulation parameters. CONCLUSION: Determining the time of safe surgery remains challenging when hemorrhagic complications happen with direct factor Xa inhibitor, especially when neurological prognosis is engaged. Spinal subdural hematoma has not previously been reported following rivaroxaban therapy.

A calvarial acute subdural hematoma migrating into the spinal canal in a young male.

It is not common for an acute subdural hematoma (SDH) in the supratentorial region to show rapid resolution or migration during the clinical course. In this report, we present a rare case where the SDH in the supratentorial region was observed to rapidly migrate into the lumbar spinal canal, leading to severe radiculopathy. A 20-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department with severe headache after head trauma. The patient's overall condition was good, whereas his Glasgow Coma Scale score was 15 and blood pressure was normal. He had vomited 3 times after the onset of pain. No stiff neck was found, and the computed tomography showed an ASDH over the outer layer of the right hemisphere, causing a 7- to 8-mm shift. During the follow-up, the headache regressed and eventually resolved after 12 hours; however, another severe pain occurred in the lumbar region and in both legs. The pain worsened over time, progressing to sciatica in both legs. Acute SDH associated with a minor head trauma may migrate from the supratentorial compartment into the spinal canal by the help of elastic cerebral tissues in young adults and children.