Acute and Delayed Epidural Hematoma After Total Spondylectomy for a Metastatic Spinal Tumor: A Case Report

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: We report a case of recurrent spinal epidural hematoma after total spondylectomy for a metastatic spinal tumor. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Postoperative epidural hematoma is rare, and no case of delayed epidural hematoma after hematoma removal has been reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 74-year-old woman experienced a ninth thoracic vertebral (T9) pathologic fracture caused by a metastatic spinal tumor and underwent total spondylectomy. Immediate postoperative epidural hematoma occurred and neurological symptoms appeared. After hematoma removal, the symptom improved. Ten days after surgery, the neurological symptoms worsened again. Spine magnetic resonance imaging showed delayed epidural hematoma. Hematoma removal was done again. RESULTS: The patient's neurological symptoms improved after delayed hematoma removal. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed hematoma that cause neurological symptoms may occur after primary hematoma removal. If neurological symptoms recur after hematoma removal, the surgeon should consider the possibility of hematoma recurrence. Before total spondylectomy surgery, preoperative embolization is recommended.

Clinical Analysis of the Delayed Post-Traumatic Epidural Hematoma after Hematoma Evacuation

OBJECTIVE: The authors analyze the incidence, etiological and prognostic factors between contralateral and ipsilateral delayed epidural hematoma after evacuation of initial hematoma and to formulate recommendations for early detection of evolving hematoma and improvement of outcome. METHODS: Between July 1997 and December 1999, 417 patients underwent craniotomy at department of neurosurgery to evacuate an acute posttraumatic intracranial hematoma. Analysis of these clinical and neuroradiologic data showed that we underwent a second operation on 24 patient(5.8%) for removal of delayed epidural hematoma. In 10(2.4%) of these patients the second operation was undertaken to evacuate a new hematoma that had developed at a contralateral side from the initial hematoma. In 14 patients(3.4%), the second operation was to remove a epidural hematoma at the same site as the first craniotomy. RESULTS: 24 patients were divided into two groups. In Group A, 10 patients who developed contralateral delayed epidural hematoma were 31.5 years(11-61) of age and had skull fracture at the site of delayed epidual hematoma formation. Two of these patients revealed severe brain swelling during the evacuation of acute subdural hematoma. Eight of them were diagnosed within 24 hours after craniotomy through immediately postoperative computed tomography scan. In Group B, 14 patients who developed ipsilateral epidural hematoma were 56.1 years(27-75) of age. Six of them had hemorrhagic tendency related to past medical history. Eleven of these patients were associated with thrombocytopenia and consumptive coagulopathy when required second operation. Twelve patients were diagnosed within 48-72 hours after craniotomy due to clinical deterioration or failure to improve. There was no significant difference in outcome between two groups. CONCLUSION: The authors sought differential factors between contralateral and ipsilateral delayed epidural hematoma. Delayed epidural hematoma after craniotomy may need an urgent operation or lead to serious complication or disability. Postoperative computed tomography scan, intracranial pressure monitoring and repeat computed tomography scan within 72 hours of injury are strongly recommended in these cases, especially after decompression of cranial cavity.

Delayed Epidural Hematoma

Four cases of delayed post-traumatic epidural hematoma which had not been present on initial CT scan were found on repeated CT scan. The delayed epidural hematoma was developed after evacuation of a hematoma in all cases. And a skull fracture was present at the site of the delayed hematoma in two cases. The neurologic deterioration heralded the onset of delayed epidural hematoma after decompressive therapy by either surgical or medical means. Repeated CT scan is indicated if anticapated improvement from does not occur after decompression by either surgical or medical means, recovery from shock, or whenever there is evidence of even minimal bleeding under a skull fracture on the initial CT scan.