Cranial subdural migrating to lumbar subdural space in a toddler

Catherine Wassef; Anmol Almast; Shehanaz Ellika

doi:10.1136/bcr-2022-251984

Cranial subdural migrating to lumbar subdural space in a toddler

BMJ Case Rep. 2022 Dec 12;15(12):e251984. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-251984.

Authors

Catherine Wassef¹, Anmol Almast², Shehanaz Ellika³

Affiliations

¹ Neurosurgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA catherine_wassef@urmc.rochester.edu.
² University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
³ Department of Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.

Abstract

Migrated spinal subdural haematoma (sSDH) is a significantly uncommon finding. This case involves a paediatric patient representing after cranial trauma with new abnormal gait and leg pain who was found to have a migrated sSDH. Literature review for reported cases of pathogenesis theories, causes and management was performed and summarised in this report. The authors concluded that new abnormal gait and leg pain in a paediatric patient with previous cranial trauma is an indication for spinal MRI if migrated subdural haematoma is suspected. Non-surgical management is generally tolerated, and steroids can be trialled for radiculopathy if clinically indicated.

Keywords: Neurological injury; Neurosurgery; Paediatrics; Pain (neurology); Trauma CNS /PNS.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Child
Child, Preschool
Hematoma, Subdural, Spinal* / diagnostic imaging
Hematoma, Subdural, Spinal* / etiology
Humans
Lumbosacral Region / diagnostic imaging
Lumbosacral Region / pathology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / adverse effects
Pain / complications
Spinal Canal / pathology
Subdural Space* / pathology