BACKGROUND
There is currently no case described in the literature of epidural hematoma associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to dissection of a spontaneous radiculomedullary artery at the lumbar level and therefore its incidence and prevalence are not known. However, its etiology is thought to be similar and may not be diagnosed given its nonspecific symptomatology.
OBSERVATIONS
The authors present the case of an adult patient who consulted the emergency department for 2 weeks of low back pain. On physical examination there were negative signs of radiculopathy without neurological focalization. The patient was evaluated by neurosurgery via thoracic and lumbosacral spine magnetic resonance imaging, with findings of epidural hematoma associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage in the lumbosacral region. After that, panangiography was done. In the study, it was possible to visualize a dissection of the radicular artery at the L2 level. The patient was not a candidate for surgical management and continued with medical pain management. The patient has a good clinical evolution and was discharged.
LESSONS
The aim of the present case is to describe a unique case of radiculomedullary artery dissection as a cause of spontaneous epidural hematoma associated with a subarachnoid hemorrhage in the lumbar region.
Background:
The main objective of this study is to enhance neurosurgeons’ anatomical knowledge by providing specific anatomical references of the cavernous sinus (CS). However, it is essential to clarify that our study does not seek to establish an absolute intraoperative rule due to the inherent anatomical variability that must be considered.
Methods:
Fifty-three cadaveric specimens were procured from the Forensic Institute (Bogotá) and subjected to dissection through an extradural approach. The measurements were taken in two distinct phases. The first phase involved the measurement of various anatomical structures in 25 specimens with respect to the anterior and posterior clinoids. The second phase, which was conducted 5 years later, involved the measurement of the distance between the foramen rotundum and the foramen ovale in 28 specimens using the L&W tools microcaliper.
Results:
In 25 specimens, a perpendicular imaginary line was drawn from the lateral tip of the anterior clinoid to the floor of the medial fossa. This facilitated access to the Parkinson’s triangle, which is located between the IV cranial nerve and the ophthalmic V1 nerve, revealing a constant distance of 5 mm between the lateral tip of the anterior clinoid and the IV cranial nerve. Furthermore, in 28 specimens, the mean distance from the foramen rotundum to the foramen ovale was found to be 1.3 cm bilaterally.
Conclusion:
The rule of five is a valuable tool for comprehensively understanding the anatomy of the CS, providing a reference point for the different normal anatomical structures within the CS.
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