Dr. Aminath Ali
Medical Officer
ADK Hospital, Male'

 

Ali Niyaf, Ram Kumar Shrestha

 

Abstract

 

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is relatively rare accounting for less than 1% of all spinal canal occupying lesions, but it is a potentially debilitating condition that can lead to permanent neurological deficits. The etiology of SSEH is poorly understood and while a large proportion is considered to be due to idiopathic causes, predisposing factors include congenital and acquired vascular malformations, coagulopathies, neoplasms and minor vertebral trauma. The condition often presents with features that mimic other cerebrovascular conditions, hence, early recognition of clinical features, prompt diagnostic evaluation and treatment is vital to prevent or minimize the neurological sequelae and carries more weight than any advances in diagnosis or treatment. Patients typically present with acute onset of neck or back pain with accompanying neurological symptoms of variable degrees. A high degree of clinical suspicion is mandatory regardless of lack of any underlying risk factors, early advance imaging and Surgical intervention is vital for favorable outcomes. We report 3 cases that we nencountered between February 2016 and January 2018: all three cases were cervical spinal epidural hematoma and were successfully treated by surgical decompression.

 

Keywords:

 

spinal epidural hematoma, , neurological deficits, vascularmalformations