[Spontaneous epidural hematoma--report of two cases]

We report two cases of spontaneous epidural hematoma associated with the hemorrhagic diathesis and the paranasal sinusitis. Case 1: A 31-year-old man with a history of subtotal gastrectomy because of gastric cancer. He complained of headache at left temporal region, but CT scan showed no abnormal finding. After about 12 hours, he was found in comatose state. Emergency CT scan showed left epidural hematoma. He had the thrombocytemia and hemorrhagic diathesis which were supposed to be the side effect of the chemotherapy or DIC. Although the epidural hematoma was removed at emergency, he died 5 days after the operation, because of severe brain swelling. Case 2: A 34-year-old woman with a history of paranasal sinusitis. At 3 weeks after her fourth delivery, she had a headache and a right orbital swelling. She was admitted to the otorhinolaryngologist under the diagnosis of the acute paranasal sinusitis and orbital phlegmone. After admission, the level of consciousness became worse, she was given neurosurgical consultation. Angiogram showed right temporal mass lesion. At operation, the epidural hematoma was found and evacuated. She was discharged without any neurological deficits.