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Spinal cord injury from spontaneous epidural hematoma: report of 2 cases

Mark D Lo1

  • 1Department of Pediatric EmergencyMedicine, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.mark.lo@seattlechildrens.org

Pediatric Emergency Care
|June 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Spinal epidural hematoma in children, though rare, can cause acute injury. Prompt diagnosis via MRI and neurosurgical consultation are crucial for better outcomes in pediatric spinal cord injury cases.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Vascular Malformations

Background:

  • Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a rare condition, especially in pediatric patients.
  • Cavernous vascular malformations are also uncommon causes of SEH in children.
  • Acute spinal cord injury requires rapid diagnosis and intervention.

Observation:

  • Two pediatric cases of acute spinal cord injury secondary to spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma were identified.
  • Both cases originated from an underlying cavernous vascular malformation.
  • Symptoms included acute extremity weakness and paresthesia.

Findings:

  • Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare but critical diagnosis in pediatric emergencies.
  • Cavernous malformations can be the source of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in children.
  • Early recognition is key for managing acute spinal cord injury.

Implications:

  • Consider spontaneous epidural hematoma in the differential diagnosis for pediatric patients presenting with acute neurological deficits.
  • Immediate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine is essential for diagnosis.
  • Prompt neurosurgical consultation offers the best chance for improved outcomes in pediatric spinal cord injury.

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