Spinal subdural haematoma mimicking tethered cord after posterior fossa open surgery

Abstract

We report the MRI findings in a girl aged 3 years and 10 months who developed a spinal subdural haematoma after posterior fossa open surgery for cerebellar malignant rhabdoid tumour. Emergency surgery was performed immediately because of increased intracranial pressure. Control MRI 48 h after surgery showed a spinal subdural haematoma without clinical signs of paresis or bladder dysfunction. Spinal subdural haematoma is rare, and only few cases have been reported, especially in children. This report suggests that "silent" (without clinical symptoms) postoperative spinal acute subdural haemorrhage can occur after posterior fossa surgery.