Traumatic Spinal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage With Spinal Cord Compression: A Case Report and Literature Review

The occurrence of spinal hematoma is rare, and differentiation between subarachnoid hemorrhage and subdural hemorrhage on neuroradiological imaging can be challenging. Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SSAH) is less frequently associated with trauma and can result in severe neurological impairment. We report the case of a 53-year-old man who presented with severe motor and sensory deficits primarily of the left arm without further neurological deficits in the other extremities after a fall from a height of six meters. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an acute intradural hematoma at the C4-C6 level with significant spinal cord compression. Surgery revealed a hematoma enclosed by an arachnoid layer. Two months later, MRI showed complete resolution of spinal cord edema and avulsion of the left C6 and partially C7 nerve roots, corresponding to electromyography findings revealing a brachial plexus avulsion. Nine months after the accident and five months after surgical repair of the brachial plexus avulsion, there was a significant improvement in the sensory and motor functions of the left arm, allowing the patient to manage daily activities independently. Patients with neurological deficits following spinal trauma should be evaluated for spinal cord compression, such as intraspinal hematoma, as soon as possible to enable early spinal decompression. We describe a rare case of traumatic SSAH and brachial plexus avulsion following successful surgical decompression of the spinal cord without clinical postoperative myelopathy.