A case of delayed occurrence of C3 vertebra anterior subluxation diagnosed 10 days
after surgery for epidural hematoma is herein described. A 56-year-old man underwent
surgery for right epidural hematoma. No spinal fracture was identified on the cervical–spinal
computed tomography (CT) on arrival. The patient developed neck pain after the craniotomy,
and cervical magnetic resonance imaging 5 days postoperatively revealed a disruption
of the C3–C4 posterior ligament complex. The patient was conservatively treated with
immobilization. Cervical CT 10 days postoperatively revealed C3 vertebra anterior
subluxation. Posterior fixation surgery was performed 21 days after admission, and
the postoperative course was uneventful. This case suggests that awareness of delayed
occurrence of cervical dislocation after traumatic intracranial hemorrhage should
be increased among neurosurgeons.
Key-words:
Delayed cervical subluxation - posterior fixation surgery - traumatic intracranial
hemorrhage
