Treatment of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in children: analysis of 25 cases

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a rare neurosurgical emergency, presenting as sudden onset of back pain and weakness of lower extremities. Many patients have no definite cause. Some cases of SSEH caused by vascular malformation have been reported. The treatment strategy remains controversial. This study aimed to analyze the causes of SSEH and proposed a treatment strategy according to clinical outcomes of patients at a single institution.

A total of 25 cases of SSEH under 18 years of age treated between March 2004 and July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.

The mean age of the first SSEH onset was 7.1 years. The most common location was cervicothorax. Nine patients suffered from multiple episodes. Twenty-three patients underwent spinal digital subtraction angiography (DSA), of which seven (30.4%) patients had positive findings: three cases had epidural artery venous fistula (AVF), two cases had epidural artery venous malformation (AVM), and two cases had abnormal concentration of contrast agent. Seventeen patients received surgery. Eleven patients (44%) were diagnosed as vascular malformation by either DSA or pathology. The follow-up rate was 80%, with 20 patients (80%) achieving satisfactory clinical outcome. Risk factors for poor clinical outcome included multiple episodes (p = 0.028) and higher Aminoff-Logue score (p = 0.005).

Spinal epidural vascular malformation is a significant cause of SSEH. Spinal DSA is necessary. Surgery should be recommended for patients with multiple episodes, positive findings on DSA, or severe neurological deficits. Conservation therapy can be considered for other patients, but long-time follow-up is necessary.