Chronic spontaneous cervicothoracic epidural hematoma in an 8-month-old infant

• Published in: Annals of Saudi medicine Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 301 - 304
• Main Authors: Min, Shaoxiong, Duan, Yang, Jin, Anmin, Zhang, Li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saudi Arabia Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01.05.2011; KING FAISAL SPECIALIST HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE; Medknow Publications; King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Case Report; Case studies; Cervical Vertebrae - pathology; Cervical Vertebrae - surgery; Diagnosis; Epidural hematoma; Health aspects; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal - diagnosis; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal - pathology; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal - surgery; Hospitals; Humans; Infant; Infants; Laminectomy; Magnetic resonance imaging; Male; Medical diagnosis; Paraparesis - etiology; Physicians; Spinal cord; Thoracic Vertebrae - pathology; Thoracic Vertebrae - surgery; Saudi Arabia
• ISSN: 0256-4947; 0975-4466
• DOI: 10.4103/0256-4947.75586

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is an uncommon cause of cord compression in children, especially in infants. An 8-month-old infant was admitted to our hospital for a 40-day history of paraparesis in the lower extremities. This rapidly progressed to paraparesis with an inability to move the lower extremities. MRI of the cervicothoracic spine revealed an epidural mass with compression of the spinal cord. The infant underwent C7-T3 total laminectomies. The pathology and postoperative MRI confirmed spinal epidural hematoma from a vascular malformation. We present the case to highlight the significance of recognizing this chronic spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma and discuss the diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis.