Korean J Spine.  2011 Dec;8(4):272-282. 10.14245/kjs.2011.8.4.272.

Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma: A Retrospective Study on Prognostic Factors and Review of the Literature

• Fedor M
• Kim ES
• Ding K
• Muizelaar
• Kim KD

• KMID: 1452578
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2011.8.4.272

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a rare clinical entity. Patients typically present with sudden onset back pain followed by neurological deficits.
METHODS
Diagnosis of SSEH is usually made with MRI and standard treatment is surgical evacuation. In 1996, Groen published the most comprehensive review on the SSEH in which he analyzed 333 cases. We review 104 cases of SSEH presented in the English literature since the last major review and add three of our own cases, for a total of 107 cases.
RESULTS
Our patients presented with back pain and neurologic deficits. Two made excellent functional recovery with prompt surgical decompression while one continued to have significant deficits despite evacuation. Better postoperative outcome was associated with less initial neurological dysfunction, shorter time to operation from symptom onset and male patients.
CONCLUSION
We discuss the etiology of SSEH and report current trends in diagnosis, treatment, and outcome.

Keyword

Spinal epidural hematoma; Back pain; Neurological deficits; MRI

MeSH Terms

Back Pain
Decompression, Surgical
Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal
Humans
Male
Neurologic Manifestations
Retrospective Studies