[An operated case of cervical spontaneous hematomyelia]

We have reported a case of cervical spontaneous hematomyelia caused by cavernous hemangioma. A 47-year-old woman experienced a sudden onset of pain in the neck on 5 December 1979. One week after the onset she began to have tetraparesis. There was a rapidly increasing weakness of the extremities and she was referred to our department on 25 December 1979. At the time, the positive neurological findings were flaccid tetraplegia, bilateral loss of all sensory perception below the C4 level and urinary retention. Chest x-ray films demonstrated an elevation of right diaphragma. Roentgenograms of the cervical spine were normal. Emergency myelography via cisternal puncture revealed a central filling defect at the level of C3-C5. But there was no displacement of dentate ligament on lateral view, suggesting an intramedullary mass lesion. Laminectomy from C2 to Th1 and evacuation of the intramedullary blood clot at C3-C5 level were performed successfully. Microscopic examination of clots revealed cavernous hemangioma. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient gradually improved in her motility. In the review of the literature including our case, vascular malformations are the commonest cause of spontaneous hematomyelia. They are found 12 out of 18 cases (Table 1). The symptoms of spontaneous hematomyelia are characterized by sudden onset of pain and rapid development of long tract sign in a previously asymptomatic individual. Operated cases are summarized in table 2. Good operative results are obtained 6 out 9 cases. We will emphasize that in a case of spontaneous hematomyelia with acute progression of transverse myelopathy, early diagnosis and operation are extremely important, and for this purpose, myelography is considered to be one of the most useful examinations.