Bilateral Subdural Hematomas Following Routine Lumbar Diskectomy

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.2000.00072.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-11T23:16:03Z
• Authors: Pierre R. Burkhard; John M. Duff
• Keywords: Intracranial Hypotension; Subdural Hematomas; Diskectomy; Subdural hemorrhage

Intracranial hypotension is a rare, and possibly underrecognized, cause of headache in middle age. Occurring spontaneously the vast majority cases, it has been occasionally reported after certain neurosurgical procedures involving craniectomy. We report unique situation which patient developed severe postural typical intracranial hypotension, was complicated by bilateral subdural hematomas, immediately following routine lumbar diskectomy; resolved spontaneously. suggest that an intraoperative microscopic dural breach site sustained, but self‐limited, cerebrospinal fluid leakage eventually led to hypotension.