Cerebellar hemorrhage complicating cervical durotomy and revision C1-C2 fusion.

STUDY DESIGN

A case of cerebellar hemorrhage complicating cervical durotomy and revision C1-C2 fusion is reported. There has been only one report on cerebellar hemorrhage after cervical durotomy.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The patient became comatose approximately 16 hours after surgery. According to a review of the recovery room records, the patient's cerebellar hemorrhage probably occurred some time within the first 10 hours after the procedure and not during the operation.

METHODS

The authors reviewed reports on complicated cerebellar hemorrhage, and the causative factors were studied.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative drainage of cerebrospinal fluid, especially when negative pressure is applied, may play a role in the occurrence of cerebellar hemorrhage.