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Traumatic spinal epidural hematoma of a 10-month-old male: a clinical note
1Department of Neurology, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island 02906, USA.
Insights
Traumatic spinal epidural hematoma (TSEH) is rare in children. Early MRI is crucial for diagnosing TSEH in infants presenting with subtle symptoms like irritability or neck pain to prevent severe outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Traumatic spinal epidural hematoma (TSEH) is an uncommon condition in pediatric patients.
- Existing literature documents only three pediatric cases of TSEH.
- This report details a case of TSEH in an infant without identifiable risk factors.
Observation:
- The infant presented with non-specific symptoms, including irritability and neck pain.
- No clear traumatic risk factors were identified in this case.
- The diagnosis was confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine.
Findings:
- TSEH can occur in infants even without apparent risk factors.
- Subtle clinical signs like irritability and neck pain may indicate TSEH in children.
- Delayed diagnosis due to lack of MRI can lead to underreporting and increased morbidity.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider TSEH in the differential diagnosis of infants with unexplained irritability or neck pain.
- Prompt spinal MRI is essential for early detection and management of pediatric TSEH.
- Timely diagnosis and treatment of TSEH are critical to minimize long-term neurological deficits in children.
Abstract:
Traumatic spinal epidural hematoma (TSEH) is rare in children. Only three cases of TSEH were documented in the pediatric literature. This clinical note presents an infant with TSEH but no risk factors. Without magnetic resonance imaging examination, children with TSEH and minor symptoms may be missed and under reported. Signs such as irritability and neck pain should alert the clinician to consider TSEH and the need for urgent magnetic resonance imaging of the spine for early diagnosis and treatment to minimize morbidity.