Spinal subarachnoid hematoma involving a thoracic ventral dural defect: illustrative case
Ayuka Tanzawa1, Toru Tateoka1, Takashi Yagi1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan.
Background:
Spinal subarachnoid hematoma of unknown origin is rare. Superficial siderosis has been associated with chronic bleeding from spinal dural defects; however, the relationship between these defects and spinal subarachnoid hematoma remains unclear.
Observations:
A 32-year-old woman presenting with severe back pain and leg weakness exhibited an extensive thoracic spinal hematoma with spinal cord compression on magnetic resonance imaging. Emergency surgery was performed, which revealed a ventral subarachnoid hematoma that was evacuated. A ventral dural defect at the hematoma site and venous bleeding from the surrounding area were observed. Hemostasis was achieved and the defect closed. After surgery, her neurological symptoms quickly resolved. Postoperative spinal angiography showed no vascular lesions.
Lessons:
Like superficial siderosis, ventral spinal subarachnoid hematoma can be caused by a spinal dural defect. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24435.
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