Spinal Epidural Hematoma Producing Neural Compression After Bilateral Rod Fractures in Failed Long-Construct Fusion: A Case Report.

Case: A 75-year-old woman with remote history of T10-S1 spinal fusion with pelvic fixation presented with radicular back pain and numbness in the right lower extremity. Imaging showed bilateral rod fractures at L4-5 and a dorsal spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) with associated severe canal narrowing and cauda equina compression. The patient underwent bilateral L4-5 laminectomies, hematoma evacuation, reinforcement of multilevel nonunion, and implant replacement. Her symptoms resolved after the procedure.

Conclusion: SEH is a rare complication that may occur secondary to failed spinal fusion and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of new or progressive neurological symptoms.