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Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in a 22-month-old girl
Journal of Neurosurgery
|January 1, 1982
Insights
A rare case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma occurred in a young child, causing severe neurological symptoms. Surgical removal led to a full recovery, highlighting the importance of prompt diagnosis and intervention for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Cord Medicine
Background:
- Spinal epidural hematomas (SEHs) are rare, particularly in children.
- Spontaneous SEHs, without preceding trauma, are even less common.
- This case adds to the limited literature on pediatric spontaneous SEHs.
Observation:
- A 22-month-old girl presented with progressive cervical pain, neck stiffness, and quadriparesis over 12 days.
- No history of trauma was reported.
- Imaging revealed a spinal epidural hematoma.
Findings:
- The patient underwent surgical evacuation of the epidural hematoma.
- Complete neurological recovery was observed within 6 months post-surgery.
- Literature review identified only eight prior cases of spontaneous SEH in children under 10.
Implications:
- Prompt surgical intervention is crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric spontaneous SEHs.
- This case underscores the need for considering spontaneous SEH in the differential diagnosis of acute pediatric myelopathy.
- Further research is warranted to understand the etiology and optimal management of spontaneous SEHs in children.
Abstract:
The authors report the case of a 22-month-old girl who developed cervical pain, neck stiffness, and quadriparesis over 12 days. An epidural hematoma was removed, with complete recovery after 6 months. There was no history of trauma. A search of the literature revealed eight previous cases of spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas in children under the age of 10 years.