Korean J Spine.  2015 Sep;12(3):173-176. 10.14245/kjs.2015.12.3.173.

Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma on the Ventral Portion of Whole Spinal Canal: A Case Report

• Lee HH
• Park SC
• Kim Y
• Ha YS

• KMID: 2288344
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2015.12.3.173

Abstract

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is an uncommon but disabling disease. This paper reports a case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma and treatment by surgical management. A 32-year-old male presented with a 30-minute history of sudden headache, back pain, chest pain, and progressive quadriplegia. Whole-spinal sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spinal epidural hematoma on the ventral portion of the spinal canal. Total laminectomy from T5 to T7 was performed, and hematoma located at the ventral portion of the spinal cord was evacuated. Epidural drainages were inserted in the upper and lower epidural spaces. The patient improved sufficiently to ambulate, and paresthesia was fully recovered. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma should be considered when patients present symptoms of spinal cord compression after sudden back pain or chest pain. To prevent permanent neurologic deficits, early and correct diagnosis with timely surgical management is necessary.

Keyword

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma; Quadriplegia; Surgical treatment; Functional recovery

MeSH Terms

Adult
Back Pain
Chest Pain
Diagnosis
Epidural Space
Headache
Hematoma
Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal*
Humans
Laminectomy
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Neurologic Manifestations
Paresthesia
Quadriplegia
Spinal Canal*
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Compression