J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2010 Dec;48(6):541-543. 10.3340/jkns.2010.48.6.541.

Cervicothoracic Spinal Epidural Hematoma after Anterior Cervical Spinal Surgery

• Lee DY
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2018404
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2010.48.6.541

Abstract

The purpose of this case report is to describe a rare case of a cervicothoracic spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) after anterior cervical spine surgery. A 60-year-old man complained of severe neck and arm pain 4 hours after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at the C5-6 level. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a postoperative SEH extending from C1 to T4. Direct hemostasis and drainage of loculated hematoma at the C5-6 level completely improved the patient's condition. When a patient complains of severe neck and/or arm pain after anterior cervical spinal surgery, though rare, the possibility of a postoperative SEH extending to non-decompressed, adjacent levels should be considered as with our case.

Keyword

Cervical spine; Complication; Hematoma

MeSH Terms

Arm
Diskectomy
Drainage
Hematoma
Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal
Hemostasis
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Neck
Spine