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Encapsulated spinal epidural hematoma in an octogenarian
G M de Almeida1, E Bianco, M K Shibata
1Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
Surgical Neurology
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Spinal epidural hematoma is rare in the elderly but treatable. Surgery in older patients is effective and should not be avoided due to age alone.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Geriatric Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Spinal epidural hematoma is a rare condition, particularly in the elderly population.
- Surgical intervention is a primary treatment modality for symptomatic spinal epidural hematoma.
Observation:
- An 88-year-old male presented with symptoms requiring laminectomy.
- Intraoperative findings revealed an encapsulated spinal epidural hematoma.
Findings:
- The patient underwent successful surgical evacuation of the hematoma.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan clearly identified the lesion prior to surgery.
- The surgical outcome was highly satisfactory.
Implications:
- This case highlights that age alone should not be a contraindication for spinal surgical procedures in the very elderly.
- It underscores the importance of considering rare pathologies like spinal epidural hematoma in geriatric patients.
- Advanced imaging, such as CT scans, aids in the diagnosis of spinal epidural hematoma in elderly individuals.