Spinal intradural hemorrhage due to a neurinoma in an early puerperal woman

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2002 Sep;104(4):303-5. doi: 10.1016/s0303-8467(02)00014-8.

Abstract

A spinal intradural hemorrhage due to a neurinoma is very rare and requires emergency surgery. We report the first case of a spinal intradural hemorrhage due to a neurinoma in an early puerperal woman. The patient had a history of intermittent episodes of lower back pain for 3 years. The antenatal course to that time had been uneventful. Two days after a normal vaginal delivery, she presented with sudden onset of spinal lesion with severe symptoms and an emergency laminectomy was performed to remove an intradural hemorrhagic lesion due to a neurinoma. In this case, we speculate that clots in the intratumoral vessels spontaneously occurred during pregnancy and obstructions of these vessels followed by necrosis and hemorrhage of distal tissues occurred in the early postpartum stage. Moreover, the change in posture caused by the change in the maternal center of gravity following delivery, as well as the frequent bending required for the care of the newborn, may have been contributing factors. Mild but repetitive traction force caused by the change in posture and frequent bending may have created exertion on the vascular attachment to the nerve roots, causing the intradural hemorrhage.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Neurilemmoma / complications*
  • Neurilemmoma / surgery
  • Posture
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / pathology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / surgery
  • Puerperal Disorders / etiology*
  • Puerperal Disorders / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / complications*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / surgery