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Spinal Spot Sign
Martinus Hauf1, Heinz Krestel, Ariane Cavelti
1*University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology ‡University Department of Neurology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern †Bethesda Clinic, Tschugg, Switzerland.
Introduction:
A marker predictive of hematoma expansion in the central nervous system could aid the selection of patients for hemostatic or surgical treatment.
Case Report:
Here, we present a 83-year-old patient with acute spinal subdural hematoma with paraparesis progressing to paraplegia. A contrast extravasation within the intraspinal hematoma was visualized on spinal MR indicating active bleeding (spinal spot sign). A second acquisition of contrast-enhanced MR images showed progression of contrast extravasation helping to different active bleeding from spinal arteriovenous malformations/fistula.
Conclusions:
A "spinal spot sign" may be important for treatment decisions, notably in patients with incomplete neurological deficits at the time of imaging.
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