Pseudohypoxic Brain Swelling After Elective Lumbar Spinal Surgery: Case Report

Abstract

Pseudohypoxic brain swelling (or the more recent term, postoperative intracranial hypotension-associated venous congestion) is a rare and potentially deadly complication that can occur after routine spine or brain surgery. The mechanism of this injury has been described as a rapid cerebral spinal fluid drainage leading to venous cerebral congestion. The clinical and radiographic findings mimic those found in a patient who has suffered an anoxic brain injury. We present the third reported case of postoperative intracranial hypotension-associated venous congestion following spinal surgery.