[Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma--report of a case (author's transl)]

A typical case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma was reported. The patient was a 52 year-old male. He suddenly developed severe high back pain followed by complete paraplegia and rectovesical insufficiency. Myelography disclosed epidural mass extending fro Th2 t0 Th4. Laminectomy and removal of hematoma were carried out 4 days after the onset. Post-operative course was uneventful. Four months later he began to walk with the aids and 7 months later he was fully ambulatory and discharged. We analysed 110 cases already reported including our own and obtained the following conclusions. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma was 67% and secondary one 33%. The most frequent precipitating factor was usage of anticoagulant followed by trauma and vascular anomaly. There were relatively many case below the age of 15. The level of lesion predominated in thoracic region. Early operation was imperative but even in delayed cases good result could be expected especially in younger patient and those with lumbal lesion.