Posttraumatic retroclival acute subdural hematoma: Report of two cases and review of literature

Traumatic retroclival hematomas are uncommon lesions usually associated with significant trauma. Majority of the reported hematomas are epidural; and in the pediatric population. Retroclival acute subdural hematomas (RSDH) are very rare, with only two previous cases reported in English literature. An 18-year-old man presented with headache and no deficits following an accident. Computer tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an acute RSDH extending into the spinal subdural space. He developed bilateral sixth nerve palsies, with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure within the next 24 hours. He underwent evacuation of hematoma with a good outcome. Another 19-year-old man presented with neck pain following a fall from a moving bus. He had no neurological deficits. CT scan showed a RSDH extending across the craniovertebral junction. He was managed conservatively with good outcome.