Spontaneous Epidural Hematoma of the Cervical Spine Mimicking a Cerebrovascular Accident: A Case Report

Objective The present study is a case report of a 57-year-old female with controlled hypertension who presented with spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) mimicking a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and was successfully treated by surgical decompression. Methods A 57-year-old woman with a medical history of hypertension presented with a sudden onset of weakness in the right upper and lower extremities. Weakness of grade 3/5 was noted in her right upper and lower extremities, but there was no motor weakness of the right facial muscles. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam of the cervical spine revealed an epidural hematoma extending from level C5 to level C7, causing spinal cord compression. Results During surgery, a cervical spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) was evacuated. Postoperatively, the power in both limbs improved to grade 5/5 just after surgery. Conclusions A high degree of suspicion, meticulous history taking, and physical examination have a great importance in these rare conditions because anticoagulant therapy as a routine treatment for ischemic CVA could be life-threatening.

Hematoma epidural espinal en un joven con hemofilia: reporte de caso / Spinal epidural hematoma in a young man with hemophilia: case report

El hematoma epidural espinal es una complicación poco frecuente de la hemofilia. En la literatura han sido descritos algunos casos principalmente en la población pediátrica. El cuadro clínico del hematoma epidural espinal es bien conocido; sin embargo, la etiología de este plantea un reto médico. El tratamiento consiste en la descompresión quirúrgica, aunque últimamente se han planteado algunos casos de resolución espontánea cuando el cuadro neurológico es leve o tiene tendencia a la mejoría. El manejo de la hemofilia por lo general consiste en el reemplazo del factor deficiente de la coagulación. Reportamos el caso de un paciente masculino de 17 años de edad manejado en nuestro servicio de neurocirugía.

Dolor radicular como forma de presentación de un hematoma epidural espinal espontáneo / Radicular pain presenting as a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma

Fundamento: Las hemorragias espontáneas dentro del estuche espinal en las edades pediátricas son poco frecuentes. La sangre puede extenderse por el espacio epidural, subdural o intramedular y producir compresión de las estructuras neurales. El espacio epidural es la zona más vulnerable a sufrir el sangrado y dentro de éste su porción posterior. Objetivo: Presentar un caso poco frecuente de Hematoma epidural espinal cervical espontáneo que debutó con signos radiculares. Caso Clínico: Paciente masculino de 14 años de edad con antecedentes de salud que es remitido a la consulta con una historia iniciada siete días, antes, caracterizada por: dolor cervical bajo, de moderada intensidad de inicio brusco y que se irradiaba a los dermatomas cervicales 4 a 6 (C4-C6). Al examen físico se pudo constatar dolor al percutir las espinosas de C4 a C6, hiporreflexia bicipital y reducción de la fuerza en la pinza digital derecha. Se realizó una Resonancia Magnética Nuclear Cervical (RMN), pudiéndose diagnosticar un Hematoma epidural espinal espontaneo (HEE) que se extendía anteriormente desde C3 a C7. Se decidió el tratamiento médico y el paciente fue egresado a los doce días libre de manifestaciones clínicas. Conclusiones: La evolución clínica del paciente, el tamaño, la localización del hematoma y tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad son elementos a tener en cuenta a la hora de seleccionar la modalidad de tratamiento, el cual permitirá la reversibilidad de los síntomas y signos neurológicos así como el desarrollo de complicaciones tardías.

Hematoma espinal epidural espontáneo: reporte de un caso / Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: a case report

El hematoma espinal epidural espontáneo es raro en niños, especialmente en lactantes menores de un año. A esta edad, en la literatura inglesa se han reportado solamente cuatro casos. Considerando que en los lactantes los síntomas iniciales no son específicos, el diagnóstico se puede retrasar. Presentamos el primer caso reportado en Chile de un lactante con hematoma espinal epidural espontáneo. Un lactante varón de 11 meses de edad, inicia cuadro de repentino llanto, irritabilidad sostenida, con llanto al movilizar el cuello, agregándose cuatro días después, postura con leve inclinación de cabeza a izquierda, elevación de hombro izquierdo y paresia braquial derecha. Al 13°día desarrolla episodio repentino de distonía lingual, hipertonía de extremidades superiores y ataxia respiratoria. Al 16° día de evolución la RM demuestra una lesión epidural que comprime la médula espinal entre C2 y C5. Se realizó una laminectomía de emergencia extrayéndose el hematoma. Angio-RM y angio-TAC cervical fueron normales. Tres meses después de la cirugía, se mantiene con apoyo de ventilación mecánica y tetraparesia.

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is rare in children, especially in infants less than one year old. Only four cases in this age range have been reported in the english literature Because of non-specific presenting symptoms in infants, the diagnosis may be delayed. We report the first case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in Chile. An eleven month-old boy initially presented with sudden weeping, irritability and crying in response to neck mobilization. Four days later he developed head lateralization and upper right limb motor weakness. On the 13th day he had a sudden episode of lingual dystonia, upper limb hypertonia and respiratory ataxia. MRI showed epidural mass compressing the spinal cord at C2 to C5 level. At 16th day of evolution an emergency laminectomy and evacuation of hematoma was done. Cervical Angio-MRI and Angio-CT scan were normal. Three months after surgery, he is still tetraparetic and requires ventilatory support.

Dolor radicular como forma de presentación de un hematoma epidural espontáneo / Radicular pain as way of presentation of a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: a case presentation

Las hemorragias espontáneas dentro del estuche espinal en las edades pediátricas son poco frecuentes. La sangre puede extenderse por el espacio epidural, subdural o intramedular y producir compresión de las estructuras neurales. El espacio epidural es la zona más vulnerable a sufrir el sangrado y dentro de éste su porción posterior. Objetivo: presentar un caso poco frecuente de hematoma epidural espinal cervical espontáneo que debutó con signos radiculares. Caso Clínico: paciente masculino de 14 años de edad con antecedentes de salud que es remitido a la consulta con una historia iniciada siete días antes, caracterizada por: dolor cervical bajo, de moderada intensidad de inicio brusco y que se irradiaba a los dermatomas cervicales 4 a 6 (C4-C6). Al examen físico se pudo constatar dolor al percutir las apófisis espinosas de C4 a C6, hiporreflexia bicipital y reducción de la fuerza en la pinza digital derecha. Se realizó una resonancia magnética nuclear cervical, donde se pudo diagnosticar un hematoma epidural espinal espontáneo que se extendía anteriormente desde C3 a C7. Se decidió el tratamiento médico y el paciente egresó a los doce días libre de manifestaciones clínicas. Conclusiones: la evolución clínica del paciente, el tamaño, la localización del hematoma y tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad son elementos a tener en cuenta a la hora de seleccionar la modalidad del tratamiento, el cual permitirá la reversibilidad de los síntomas y signos neurológicos así como el desarrollo de complicaciones tardías.

Spontaneous hemorrhages inside the spinal case in pediatric ages are not frequent. The blood may extend over the epidural, subdural or intramedular space, producing compression of neural structures. The epidural space is the most vulnerable area to suffer bleeding and inside of this, its posterior portion. Objective: to present an infrequent case of spontaneous cervical spinal epidural hematoma that started with radicular signs. Clinical case: a 14 years old, masculine patient with health antecedents is remitted to the consulting room with a history initiated seven days before, characterized for: low cervical pain of moderate intensity, of abrupt onset, irradiating to the 4 at 6 cervical dermatomes (C4-C6). To the physical examination was verified pain when striking the C4 to C6, bicipital hyporeflexia and reduction of the force in the right digital forceps. A cervical nuclear magnetic resonance was performed, where a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma was diagnosed that previously extended from C3 to C7. The medical treatment was decided, the patient was discharged to twelve days, free of clinical manifestations. Conclusions: the patient's clinical evolution, size, localization of the hematoma and the time of evolution of the disease are elements to keep in mind when selecting the modality of the treatment, which will allow the reversibility of symptoms and neurological signs as well as the development of late complications.

Chronic spontaneous cervicothoracic epidural hematoma in an 8-month-old infant

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is an uncommon cause of cord compression in children, especially in infants. An 8-month-old infant was admitted to our hospital for a 40-day history of paraparesis in the lower extremities. This rapidly progressed to paraparesis with an inability to move the lower extremities. MRI of the cervicothoracic spine revealed an epidural mass with compression of the spinal cord. The infant underwent C7-T3 total laminectomies. The pathology and postoperative MRI confirmed spinal epidural hematoma from a vascular malformation. We present the case to highlight the significance of recognizing this chronic spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma and discuss the diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis

Hematoma epidural espinal em paciente com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico / Spinal epidural hematoma in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

O hematoma epidural espinal é uma entidade rara, com incidência estimada em 0,1/100.000 habitantes. As causas mais frequentes na infância são coagulopatias e malformações vasculares. Manifesta-se por dor de forte intensidade em região vertebral. O diagnóstico é confirmado pela ressonância nuclear magnética e sua localização mais frequente é cervical e cervicotorácica. O trabalho relata o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino portadora de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico que evoluiu com hematoma epidural. O projeto de pesquisa foi avaliado e aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa em Seres Humanos do Hospital Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, Paraná. Por tratar-se de entidade rara, é pouco lembrado pelos médicos como possível diagnóstico diferencial. Neurologistas infantis e pediatras em geral devem estar atentos para a possibilidade desse diagnóstico em crianças com sinais neurológicos de comprometimento da medula espinal.

Hematoma extradural espinhal espontâneo: relato de caso / Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: case report

O hematoma extradural espinhal espontâneo é considerado raro. Tem sido associado com hipertensão arterial e coagulopatias. O exame de escolha para diagnóstico é a ressonância nuclear magnética.O tratamento de escolha é drenagem cirúrgica do hematoma. O prognóstico está relacionado com a etiologia, intervalo entre icto e diagnóstico e o grau de déficits neurológicos. Os autores relatam um caso de hematoma extradural espinhal espontâneo, localizado na região torácica, com quadro de choque medular, sendo submetido a tratamento cirúrgico, que evoluiu para óbito.

The spontaneous spinal extradural hematoma is rare. It has been associated with arterial hypertension and coagulopaties. Magnetic resonance is the first choice for neuroimaging diagnosis. The surgical drainage of the hematoma is the best treatment. Prognosis is related to etiology, interval between ictus and diagnosis and degree of neurological deficits. The authors report a case of spontaneous spinal extradural hematoma, located in thoracic region, with medullar shock syndrome, that was submitted tosurgical treatment but died for non neurological complications.

Postoperative Spinal Epidural Hematoma: Risk Factor and Clinical Outcome

We report a series of epidural hematomas which cause neurologic deterioration after spinal surgery, and have taken risk factors and prognostic factors into consideration. We retrospectively reviewed the database of 3720 cases of spine operation in a single institute over 7 years (1998 April-2005 July). Nine patients who demonstrated neurologic deterioration after surgery and required surgical decompression were identified. Factors postulated to increase the postoperative epidural hematoma and to improve neurologic outcome were investigated. The incidence of postoperative epidural hematoma was 0.24%. Operation sites were cervical 3 cases, thoracic 2 cases, and lumbar 4 cases. Their original diagnoses were tumor 3 cases, cervical stenosis 2 cases, lumbar stenosis 3 cases and herniated lumbar disc 1case. The symptoms of epidural hematomas were neurologic deterioration and pain. After decompression, clinical outcome revealed complete recovery in 3 cases (33.3%), incomplete recovery in 5 cases (55.6%) and no change in 1 case (11.1%). Factors increasing the risk of postoperative epidural hematoma were coagulopathy from medical illness or anticoagulation therapy (4 cases, 44.4%) and highly vascularized tumor (3 cases, 33.3%). The time interval to evacuation of complete recovery group (29.3 hours) was shorter than incomplete recovery group (66.3 hours). Patients with coagulopathy and highly vascularized tumor were more vulnerable to spinal epidural hematoma. The postoperative outcome was related to the preoperative neurological deficit and the time interval to the decompression.

Postoperative Spinal Epidural Hematoma: Risk Factor and Clinical Outcome

We report a series of epidural hematomas which cause neurologic deterioration after spinal surgery, and have taken risk factors and prognostic factors into consideration. We retrospectively reviewed the database of 3720 cases of spine operation in a single institute over 7 years (1998 April-2005 July). Nine patients who demonstrated neurologic deterioration after surgery and required surgical decompression were identified. Factors postulated to increase the postoperative epidural hematoma and to improve neurologic outcome were investigated. The incidence of postoperative epidural hematoma was 0.24%. Operation sites were cervical 3 cases, thoracic 2 cases, and lumbar 4 cases. Their original diagnoses were tumor 3 cases, cervical stenosis 2 cases, lumbar stenosis 3 cases and herniated lumbar disc 1case. The symptoms of epidural hematomas were neurologic deterioration and pain. After decompression, clinical outcome revealed complete recovery in 3 cases (33.3%), incomplete recovery in 5 cases (55.6%) and no change in 1 case (11.1%). Factors increasing the risk of postoperative epidural hematoma were coagulopathy from medical illness or anticoagulation therapy (4 cases, 44.4%) and highly vascularized tumor (3 cases, 33.3%). The time interval to evacuation of complete recovery group (29.3 hours) was shorter than incomplete recovery group (66.3 hours). Patients with coagulopathy and highly vascularized tumor were more vulnerable to spinal epidural hematoma. The postoperative outcome was related to the preoperative neurological deficit and the time interval to the decompression.

The Poor Outcome of the Delayed Diagnosis of Acute Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma: Two Cases Report

We present two patients who had acute paraplegia with sensory loss due to spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH). One had myocardial infraction and the other had deep vein thrombosis, and the former was treated with anticoagulants and the latter was treated with thrombolytic agent. We analyzed the neurological status of our two cases each between its preoperative and postoperative state. Postoperatively both showed no improvement of neurologic symptom, and on follow-up of 12 months, one showed no neurologic improvement and the other showed a insignificant improvement of lower extremity muscle power (trace knee extensor/ankle dorsi-flexor). We thought that this poor outcome was due to delayed operation, which was done more than 24 hr after the symptom onset. The outcome in SSEH is essentially determined by the time taken from symptom onset to operation. Therefore, early and precise diagnosis such as careful history taking and MRI evaluation is necessary.