Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
COVID-19-Related Spinal Subdural Hematoma Presented with Acute Compressive Myelopathy with a Review of the Literature
Hasanain A Al-Khalidi1, Hayder K Hassoun1, Zahra Aljid1
1Middle Euphrates Neurosciences Center, KufaUniversity-Faculty of Medicine, Kufa, Iraq.
Insights
Spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH) is a rare neurological complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Early surgical intervention for SSDH in COVID-19 patients is critical to prevent permanent spinal cord damage.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Neurological complications of COVID-19 are increasingly recognized.
- Spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH) is an uncommon presentation associated with COVID-19.
Introduction:
Neurological complication due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is accumulating and compressive myelopathy due to spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH) is rarely reported in association with COVID-19.
Case Presentation:
A 55-year-old male was presented with sudden onset of areflexic paraparesis, urinary retention, loss of all sensations below twelve spinal thoracic segments, and severe back pain. This condition necessitated an immediate order of a spinal cord MRI followed by an urgent surgery, which was crucial to save the spinal cord. COVID-19 was confirmed by a positive reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction and spinal MRI showed SSDH.
Conclusion:
For a patient who presents with acute onset of severe back pain and myelopathy without a history of trauma, SSDH should be suspected. Additionally, coagulopathy associated with COVID-19 infection should increase the suspicion of SSDH which needs immediate surgical treatment to save the spinal cord.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Viral Meningitis
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Brain Abscess l: Introduction
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

