We report a case of acute subdural hematoma which occurred following cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) surgery. A 63-year-old woman was scheduled to receive TEVAR for thoracic-abdominal aneurysm extending from the descending aorta (T10) to 15 mm above the celiac trunk. Before the TEVAR operation, a lumbar cerebrospinal drain was inserted at L4-5. CSF pressure was maintained at 10cmH2O throughout the operation. The surgical procedure was completed uneventfully. At the end of the surgery, the attending anesthesiologist recognized an inequality in the patient's pupil size. Emergency CT scan reviewed left acute subdural hematoma. The patient underwent emergency external decompression surgery. The benefits of CSF drainage for spinal cord protection is well established, and ischemia of Adamkiewicz artery is prevented by careful control of CSF pressure. However, the use of CSF drainage has been associated with the risk of acute subdural hematoma. Careful observation for amount of CSF drainage is necessary during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Aorta, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic