Extensive supratentorial hemorrhages following posterior fossa meningioma surgery

Remote supratentorial intraparenchymal bleed after posterior fossa surgery: A rare occurrence

Background

Intraparenchymal hemorrhage at the operative site is one of the major complications of brain surgery. It is unusual to occur at a site remote from the operative site, but when it happens, it may cause significant morbidity and mortality.

Case Description

We report the case of a 27-year-old male who presented with complaints of paresthesias over the left side of his face and decreased hearing from the left ear for two years. His radiology was suggestive of a large left cerebellopontine angle epidermoid cyst. The patient underwent left retro mastoid suboccipital craniotomy and near-total excision of the epidermoid cyst. The immediate postoperative non-contrast computed tomography scan of the brain was suggestive of no hematoma at the operated site but a remote left parafalcine frontoparietal intraparenchymal bleed, which was managed conservatively. At two months follow-up, he had no neuro deficits, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was suggestive of near-total excision of the epidermoid cyst with resolving left parafalcine frontoparietal bleed.

Conclusion

We report this case due to the unique case observation of an intracranial bleed at a remote site rather than at the operated site.

Supratentorial Intracerebral Hematoma as a Rare Complication of Posterior Fossa Surgery in Prone Position: A Case Report with Review of Literature

Supratentorial intracerebral hematoma is a rare complication after posterior fossa tumor surgery in prone positioning. Although rare, its occurrence may cause significant impact on survival of the patient. We had described this rare complication and their possible pathophysiology in this report. A 52-year-old male with fourth ventricle epidermoid tumor with noncommunicative hydrocephalus was presented to us in drowsy condition in emergency department. Right-sided medium pressure ventriculoperitoneal surgery was performed in emergency. After shunt surgery patient become conscious and oriented. Total excision of tumor was done via suboccipital craniotomy in prone positioning after preanesthesia fitness. Patient extubated from anesthesia and was conscious but after 2 hours patient condition deteriorated. Patient was intubated again and taken on ventilatory support. Postoperative plain computed tomography brain showed total excision of tumor with left temporal lobe hematoma. Patient was managed conservatively and his condition improved in 3 weeks' periods. Supratentorial intracerebral hematoma after posterior fossa surgery in prone positioning is a rare complication. Despite the rarity of this complication, it is still challenging as it may lead to significant morbidity and mortality.

Delayed Supratentorial Intracerebral Hemorrhage After Posterior Fossa Acoustic Neuroma Surgery

A 72-year-old female patient was complaining from gradual loss of hearing in the left ear, left facial palsy with gait imbalance. Neuroimaging showed left cerebellopontine angle extra-axial mass and was diagnosed as acoustic neuroma. She was operated with left retromastoid suboccipital and gross total excision of the tumor was achieved. Early postoperative period was uneventful and brain computed tomographic (CT) scan in the postoperative day 1 showed gross total resection of the tumor without complications, and patient was discharged at the postoperative day 4. In the postoperative day 7, the patient showed decrease level of consciousness and brain CT scan showed a small hematoma in the anterior part of the left temporal lobe, which was evolved to large intraparanchymal hemorrhage with midline shift in postoperative day 9.

Multiple supratentorial intraparenchymal hemorrhage after posterior fossa surgery

Background:

The intraparenchymal supratentorial hemorrhages after interventions of the posterior fossa is a very rare complication, with very little literature and its precise incidence is unknown (range of 0.4–1.6%). It possesses potentially an etiology diverse from that associated with other postoperative bleeding.

Case Description:

A white, 23-year-old female, with no history of coagulation disorders or other diseases, was referred to our hospital with a large ependymoma, which extended from the floor of the fourth ventricle, emerged from the foramen of Magendie and descended to the C2 level. The patient was submitted to surgical treatment and during resection of the lesion, when near the vagal trigone, the patient presented great pressure lability. In the immediate postoperative period, the patient did not have a level of consciousness sufficient to tolerate extubation. Brain computed tomography (CT) was carried out, which showed multiple supratentorial hemorrhages. On the ninth day of the postoperative period, there was a sudden neurological worsening and anisocoria. A new brain CT was carried out [Figure 4], which demonstrated a diffuse cerebral edema. In spite of the introduction of clinical measures for the control of diffuse cerebral edema, the patient evolved to brain death.

Conclusions:

The principal measures in the management of these cases include early diagnosis, detection of possible coagulation disorders, continual monitoring, and maintenance of adequate cerebral perfusion. Surgical treatment is recommended in cases of the presence of mass effect or diffuse edema not yielding to clinical treatment. High rates of mortality and morbidity are observed.