[Repeated transient paraparesis due to solitary spinal epidural arterio-venous malformation. A case report]

A case of spinal epidural AVM with unusual clinical course was presented. A 28-year-old male had repeated episodes of paraparesis and complete recovery in several hours. Metrizamide myelography revealed the dorsal epidural mass at the level of L2 and L3. Accidental epidurogram during the procedure indicated extradural angioma. Surgical intervention proved solitary spinal epidural AVM. Ninety-nine cases in literature were reviewed. Among them, 14 cases of spinal epidural hematoma were due to ruptured angioma which were verified histologically. Others were unknown causes. Age distribution was discussed. It was suggested that the younger patients in the group of unknown causes might have angiomas. It was emphasized that it should not be overlooked even the insignificant transient symptoms and should schedule the extensive radiological examination in such cases.