Intraoperative Supratentorial Extradural Hematoma Complicating Excision of a Giant Vestibular Schwannoma

BACKGROUND: A man developed a rare and unexpected contralateral intraoperative complication during a translabyrinthine resection of a large cystic vestibular schwannoma.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 29-year-old man presented with progressive, low-level right-sided tinnitus and hearing loss. Magnetic resonance imaging displayed a large multicystic lesion suggestive of a vestibular schwannoma extending into the right cerebellopontine angle and distorting the midbrain. The patient subsequently underwent translabyrinthine excision of the lesion. The operation was complicated by brain swelling that obscured the operative field. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage failed to improve operative conditions, and an urgent computed tomography scan was performed, which showed a large supratentorial extradural hematoma as the cause. This extradural collection was promptly evacuated, and the patient had a good neurologic recovery postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the development of postoperative extradural hematomas resulting from cerebrospinal fluid overdrainage is reported in the literature, this case is unique in that infratentorial surgery led to the development of a supratentorial hematoma.