STUDY DESIGN: A case of cerebellar hemorrhage complicating cervical durotomy and revision C1-C2 fusion is reported. There has been only one report on cerebellar hemorrhage after cervical durotomy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The patient became comatose approximately 16 hours after surgery. According to a review of the recovery room records, the patient's cerebellar hemorrhage probably occurred some time within the first 10 hours after the procedure and not during the operation. METHODS: The authors reviewed reports on complicated cerebellar hemorrhage, and the causative factors were studied. CONCLUSION: Postoperative drainage of cerebrospinal fluid, especially when negative pressure is applied, may play a role in the occurrence of cerebellar hemorrhage.
STUDY DESIGN: A case of cerebellar hemorrhage complicating cervical durotomy and revision C1-C2 fusion is reported. There has been only one report on cerebellar hemorrhage after cervical durotomy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The patient became comatose approximately 16 hours after surgery. According to a review of the recovery room records, the patient's cerebellar hemorrhage probably occurred some time within the first 10 hours after the procedure and not during the operation. METHODS: The authors reviewed reports on complicated cerebellar hemorrhage, and the causative factors were studied. CONCLUSION: Postoperative drainage of cerebrospinal fluid, especially when negative pressure is applied, may play a role in the occurrence of cerebellar hemorrhage.