Spinal epidural hematoma

Case contributed by Sarah AlJahdali , 29 Apr 2020
Diagnosis certain
Changed by Henry Knipe , 6 May 2020

Updates to Case Attributes

Age changed from 56 years to 55 years .
Body was changed:

Spinal epidural hematomas most commonly occur spontanouslyspontaneously, with anti-coagulation/coagulopathy, disc hernia, vascular anomaly, valsalva maneuvreValsalva maneuver, and possibly hypertension.  Spinal epidural hematomas can also be post traumatic-traumatic (as in this case) or iatrogenic.

They typically extend over multiple levels and can be seen dorsal, ventral or circumferential to the thecal sac. These collections may be associated with neurological impairment from compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina, and necessitating surgical evacuation/decompression. 

Although best evaluated with MRI, spinal epidural hematomas should be sought for even on CT when spinal trauma is diagnosed. 

Case co-author: Rehana Jaffer, MD, FRCPC

  • -<p>Spinal epidural hematomas most commonly occur spontanously, with anti-coagulation/coagulopathy, disc hernia, vascular anomaly, valsalva maneuvre, and possibly hypertension.  Spinal epidural hematomas can also be post traumatic (as in this case) or iatrogenic.</p><p>They typically extend over multiple levels and can be seen dorsal, ventral or circumferential to the thecal sac. These collections may be associated with neurological impairment from compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina, and necessitating surgical evacuation/decompression. </p><p>Although best evaluated with MRI, spinal epidural hematomas should be sought for even on CT when spinal trauma is diagnosed. </p><p><strong>Case co-author: Rehana Jaffer, MD, FRCPC</strong></p>
  • +<p>Spinal epidural hematomas most commonly occur spontaneously, with anti-coagulation/coagulopathy, disc hernia, vascular anomaly, Valsalva maneuver, and possibly hypertension.  Spinal epidural hematomas can also be post-traumatic (as in this case) or iatrogenic.</p><p>They typically extend over multiple levels and can be seen dorsal, ventral or circumferential to the thecal sac. These collections may be associated with neurological impairment from compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina, and necessitating surgical evacuation/decompression. </p><p>Although best evaluated with MRI, spinal epidural hematomas should be sought for even on CT when spinal trauma is diagnosed. </p><p>Case co-author: Rehana Jaffer, MD, FRCPC</p>

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