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Updated: May 7, 2026
Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Spontaneous resolution of traumatic cervical epidural hematoma: illustrative case
Grace R Fassina1, Sherwin A Tavakol1, Caple A Spence2
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Background:
Cervical epidural hematomas are rare and can arise for many reasons. Patients typically present with pain and/or symptoms of spinal cord compression. Prompt surgical decompression is typically pursued when deficits are present in an effort to improve long-term neurological outcomes. However, the authors report the case of a patient with a traumatic dorsal cervical epidural hematoma with spontaneous resolution within 16 hours.
Observations:
A 49-year-old male with a history of C5-6 anterior cervical fusion 3 years prior presented with neck pain after blunt force trauma. The exam revealed only tenderness in the cervical spine. Initial computed tomography revealed fractures of C1 and C4. Urgent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a dorsal cervical epidural hematoma causing compression of the spinal cord from the occiput to C5. An operation was scheduled for the following morning; however, after he reported new symptoms, repeat MRI was performed, which confirmed no evidence of a cervical epidural hematoma.
Lessons:
This case demonstrates that a traumatic cervical epidural hematoma can resolve spontaneously within a short time frame. Close monitoring of these patients is vital, and it is important to reimage patients if new signs and/or symptoms arise to potentially change the timing and/or nature of the proposed surgery. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24167.
