Open AccessSpinal spontaneous epidural hematoma
Author(s) -
Yi Syue Tsou,
Yung Hsiao Chiang,
Ji-Ping Lin
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
yīxué yánjiū zázhì/journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.176
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2542-4939
pISSN - 1011-4564
DOI - 10.4103/1011-4564.151291
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , hematoma , spinal epidural hematoma , spinal cord compression , weakness , magnetic resonance imaging , epidural hematoma , spinal cord , back pain , lumbar , anesthesia , radiology , alternative medicine , pathology , psychiatry
Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare but significant condition of spinal cord compression. Urgent decompressive surgery is generally indicated to prevent serious permanent neurological deficits and improve outcome. We encountered a case of an 83-year-old woman who sustained sudden onset of severe back pain, followed by progressive weakness and numbness over bilateral lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging of thoracic and lumbar spine demonstrated an epidural mass extending from T9 through L4, causing spinal cord and thecal sac compression. Emergent decompressive surgery was performed, and epidural hematoma was diagnosed postoperatively; the patient had significant improvement of neurologic deficits. The relevant literature is also reviewed