Spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma. A case report.
Yanko N Kumchev1, Borislav M Kalnev, Stefan D Raikov
1Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Folia Medica
|September 15, 2010
Summary
Spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma is a rare condition causing sudden neck pain and paralysis. Prompt diagnosis and emergency surgery led to a complete recovery in this case.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a rare neurological disorder.
- SSEH can lead to severe neurological deficits if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
Observation:
- A 55-year-old male presented with acute onset quadriplegia, neck pain, and sensory loss.
- Physical examination revealed no systemic abnormalities but significant neurological deficits.
- Spiral computed tomography (CT) identified an acute epidural hematoma compressing the cervical spinal cord from C2 to C4.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited quadriplegia, sensory level at the nipples, and urine retention.
- Laboratory tests ruled out coagulation disorders as a cause.
- Surgical removal of the epidural hematoma via hemilaminectomy resulted in complete neurological recovery within ten days.
Implications:
- Sudden neck pain with neurological deficits warrants suspicion of spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma.
- Advanced imaging like CT and MRI are crucial for diagnosis.
- Emergency surgical decompression is key for favorable outcomes in cervical epidural hematoma.
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