Neurological Deterioration Due to Brain Sag Following Bilateral Craniotomy for Subdural Hematoma Evacuation.

Neurological Deterioration Due to Brain Sag Following Bilateral Craniotomy for Subdural Hematoma Evacuation.

World Neurosurg. 2018 Mar 07;:

Authors: Liu JKC

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intracranial hypotension from cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia resulting in cerebral herniation is a rare but known complication that can occur following neurosurgical procedures, usually encountered in correlation with perioperative placement of a lumbar subarachnoid drain. Decrease in CSF volume resulting in loss of buoyancy results in downward herniation of the brain without contributing mass effect, causing a phenomenon known as 'brain sag.' Unreported previously is brain sag occurring without concomitant occult CSF leak or lumbar drainage.
CASE DESCRIPTION: This case report describes a patient who underwent bilateral craniotomies for subacute on chronic subdural hematomas with successful decompression, but suffered from an acute neurological deterioration secondary to brain sag. Despite an initial improvement in neurological exam, he subsequently exhibited a progressive neurologic deterioration with evidence of cerebral herniation on neuroimaging, without evidence of continued mass effect on the brain parenchyma. After a diagnosis of 'brain sag' was determined based on imaging criteria, the patient was placed in a flat position which resulted in a rapid improvement in neurological exam without any further intervention.
CONCLUSIONS: This case is unique from previous reports of intracranial hypotension following craniotomy in that the symptoms were completely reversed with positioning alone, without any evidence of active or occult CSF drainage. This report emphasizes that the diagnosis of brain sag should be taken into consideration when there is an unknown reason for neurologic decline after craniotomy, particularly bilateral craniotomies, if the imaging indicates herniation with imaging findings consistent with intracranial hypotension, without evidence of overlying mass effect.

PMID: 29524703 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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