Remote Cerebellar Hemorrhage after Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease: A Case Report

Spine surgery has been increased as the population ages, but the occurrence of unusual complication such as remote cerebellar hemorrhage (RCH) is not well understood. We recently experienced a case of RCH in a 60-year-old woman showed neurologic dysfunction after degenerative lumbar spine surgery. There was no definite dural tearing and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) loss during operation. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed cerebellar hemorrhage. The patient received conservative management and rehabilitation program. Most other reports have been suggested that RCH after spinal surgery might be related with excessive CSF drainage perioperatively. Minimizing of CSF loss during operation would be helpful to reduce the risk of RCH. If large volume of CSF has been lost accompanied by neurologic deterioration, brain imaging is necessary simultaneously.