Remote cerebellar hemorrhage after lumbar spinal surgery
Belma Cevik1, Ismail Kirbas, Banu Cakir
1Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Fevzi Cakmak Cad. 10. sok. No: 45, Bahcelievler, Ankara 06490, Turkey. belmac@baskent-ank.edu.tr
European Journal of Radiology
|February 26, 2008
Summary
Remote cerebellar hemorrhage (RCH) is a rare complication following lumbar spinal surgery, occurring in 0.08% of cases. Diagnosis via CT or MRI aids conservative management of this self-limiting condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Remote cerebellar hemorrhage (RCH) is an emerging complication after lumbar spinal surgery.
- Understanding its incidence and diagnostic features is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of RCH following lumbar spinal surgery.
- To describe the diagnostic imaging findings associated with RCH.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 2444 patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery between 1996 and 2007.
- Analysis of 37 patients with postoperative neurologic symptoms who underwent CT or MRI scans.
Main Results:
- Two cases of RCH were identified, resulting in an incidence of 0.08%.
- CT and MRI revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage in the cerebellar hemispheres.
- RCH occurred in 2 of 37 neurologically symptomatic patients (5.4%).
Conclusions:
- RCH is a rare, self-limiting complication of lumbar spinal surgery.
- It should not be confused with more severe conditions like hemorrhagic infarction.
- CT/MRI enable prompt diagnosis and conservative treatment.
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