Abstract
Purpose: Reporting a rare case of a non-iatrogenic spontaneously resolved spinal subdural haematoma (SSDH) following revision of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and its possible explanation.Methods: Case report of a 40-year-old man with a history of persistent lower back and left lower extremity radicular pain, secondary to recurrent disc prolapse, lumbar spondylosis with foraminal stenosis. He underwent an L5/S1 transforaminal interbody fusion via a right sided approach (through previous lumbar microdiscectomy incision). On post-operative day two, the patient developed headache and photophobia that were discovered to be secondary to an acute thoracolumbar subdural haematoma with no objective neurological deficit.Results: After close observation of his neurological status and conservative management of the subdural haematoma, the patient fully recovered from his symptoms and remained problem-free at 2-year follow-up.Conclusions: Although the occurrence of acute spinal subdural haematoma after spinal surgery is a rare complication following spinal surgery, its appropriate management relies on early recognition if significant morbidity is to be avoided.