Cerebellar hemorrhage complicating temporal lobectomy. Report of four cases

Abstract

Four cases of cerebellar hemorrhage complicating temporal lobectomy are presented. A case of postoperative hemorrhage located remote from the operative site as a complication of intracranial surgery is rare, especially when it involves the cerebellum after supratentorial craniotomy. In a review of the literature, the authors identified only 12 such cases, none of which was described in the setting of a temporal lobectomy. The possible etiologies for cerebellar hemorrhage in the four cases presented are examined, including the role of epidural suction drains and the position of the head during surgery. The mechanism of cerebellar hemorrhage in this series of patients is probably multifactorial. Special attention throughout the perioperative course must be given to hemodynamic, anatomical, and physiological factors that together can affect the patient negatively.