Acute spontaneous spinal subdural haematoma presenting as paraplegia and complete recovery with non-operative treatment

Spinal Subdural Haematoma: a rare complication of spinal decompression surgery

OBJECTIVE

Spinal Subdural Haematoma (SSH) is a rare and infrequently reported complication of hemilaminectomy, laminectomy and other spinal decompression surgeries. In this review, we aim to analyse the available literature for reported cases of SSH to better identify risk factors and presenting symptoms, as well as highlighting the importance in prompt investigation and management of SSH to prevent long-term morbidity and chronic neurological deficit.

METHOD

A review of the medical literature was undertaken using search terms hemilaminectomy OR laminectomy AND spinal subdural haematoma. All identified reports were screened for language, adult population and human studies. Report abstracts were screened for relevance to question, with SSH occurring postoperatively following hemilaminectomy or laminectomy included. Four reports were included in the review.

CONCLUSION

SSH is a rare, emergency condition with neurological deficit that can present as recurrent back pain and acute cauda equina post-operatively following hemilaminectomy and laminectomy procedures. Vigilance, early investigation and surgical evacuation is important in preventing short- and long-term morbidity. Further collation of data and analysis is required to better identify patients at high risk for developing SSH postoperatively.

Acute spinal subdural hematoma: A case report of spontaneous recovery from paraplegia

RATIONALE

Spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH) is a rare disease that can cause severe permanent neurological dysfunction. Here we present a case of spontaneous SSDH, in which a series of magnetic resonance images (MRIs) taken through the course of the disease facilitated understanding of the resolution process of the hematoma and the diagnosis of SSDH.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 59-year-old male presented with sudden severe back pain and rapid onset of paraplegia. This symptom had continued developing while he was transferred to the emergency department. Initial physical examination showed flaccid paralysis of both lower limbs with areflexia and loss of all sensation below T6 bilaterally. MRI images showed an anterior subdural hematoma from C7 to T7 with spinal cord compression.

DIAGNOSIS

Based on MRI findings, the diagnosis was SSDH.

INTERVENTIONS

We chose conservative treatment of 1-week bed rest and intensive rehabilitation for the patient due to the presence of sacral sparing and the slight motor recovery at 24 hours after the onset.

OUTCOMES

Frequent MRI images demonstrated that the spinal cord compression was surprisingly mitigated only 2 days and mostly absorbed 4 days after the onset. The patient's motor function was recovered completely and he was discharged after 8 weeks of hospitalization.

LESSONS

Our chronological MRI findings provide crucial information for diagnosing SSDH and also suggest that spinal surgeons should consider the potential option of a conservative approach for treating SSDH. Although prompt selection of a therapeutic strategy for SSDH could be challenging, the surgeons could observe the course of the patient's neurological status for a few days to detect signs of spontaneous recovery.

Acute, Nontraumatic Spontaneous Spinal Subdural Hematoma: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature

Spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma (sSDH) is a rare condition outright. Moreover, cases that occur spontaneously in the absence of an identifiable etiology are considerably less common and remain poorly understood. Here, we present the case of a 43-year-old man with spontaneous sSDH presenting with acute onset low back pain and paraplegia. Urgent magnetic resonance imaging identified a dorsal SDH from T8 to T11 with compression of the spinal cord. Emergent T8–T10 laminectomies with intradural exploration and hematoma evacuation were performed. However, despite prompt identification and appropriate action, the patient's recovery was modest and significant disability remained at discharge. This unique and unusual case demonstrates that spontaneous sSDH requires prompt surgical treatment to minimize associated morbidity and supports the association between the presence of severe neurological deficits upon initial presentation with less favorable outcomes. We performed a comprehensive systematic review of spontaneous sSDH of unknown etiology, which demonstrates that emergent surgical intervention is indicated for patients presenting with severe neurological deficits and the presence of these deficits is predictive of poor neurological outcome. Furthermore, conservative management should be considered in patients presenting with mild neurological deficits as spontaneous resolution followed by favorable neurological outcomes is often observed in these patients.

Spontaneous thoracic ventral spinal subdural hematoma mimicking a tumoral lesion: a case report

Introduction

Spinal subdural hematoma is rare and can cause serious neurological symptoms. Sometimes, idiopathic spinal subdural hematoma can spontaneously occur without any identifiable underlying etiologies. In this report, we present such an uncommon case of paraplegia caused by idiopathic spinal subdural hematoma that was successfully managed by laminectomy.

Case presentation

A 45-year-old Chinese woman presented with sudden onset of progressive asthenia and numbness in both lower extremities, accompanied by difficulty in micturition. An initial non-contrast spinal magnetic resonance imaging at a local hospital suggested a spinal subdural tumoral hematoma at the T9 level. She was referred to our hospital and an emergency laminectomy from T8 to T10 was performed 22 hours after onset of her initial symptoms. However, nothing but a hematoma was identified during the operation, and a final diagnosis of spontaneous acute spinal subdural hematoma was concluded. She had partial return of sensations and voluntary movement after the operation.

Conclusions

On imaging findings, spinal subdural hematoma could manifest as focal and independent from the dura matter, and, therefore, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of medullary compressive lesions.

Acute spinal subdural hematoma in a patient with active systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report and literature review

We herein describe a case of acute spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH) during the administration of high-dose corticosteroids and intravenous heparin for the treatment of active lupus nephritis. After SSDH was promptly diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the patient recovered well with conservative treatment involving the discontinuation of heparin sodium. Although SSDH is a rare complication, it should be considered as a cause of neurological manifestations in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus.