Diffuse pneumocephalus associated with infratentorial and supratentorial hemorrhages as a complication of spinal surgery

Abstract

A 23-year-old woman was transferred to our department with loss of consciousness 6 h after undergoing rod placement for thoracolumbar scoliosis. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed diffuse pneumocephalus and infra- and supratentorial hemorrhages. The pedicular screw tracts were analyzed with computed tomography and misplacement of a screw was noticed. It was thought that inadvertent dural injury had occurred at the time of insertion. The patient was re-operated and the dural tear was repaired. To our knowledge, this is the first description of these uncommon complications in one patient after spine surgery.