Delayed traumatic spinal epidural hematoma with neurological deficits

Abstract

ABSTRACT To describe the mechanism that causes spinal epidural hematoma with neurologic deficit and review the literature. We report a case of a 62-year-old man with post-traumatic epidural hematoma in the cervicothoracic spine, who developed progressive neurological deficit which eventually resulted in complete paralysis below T1. During surgical evacuation significant spine compression due to an organizing hematoma was observed. After surgery, the patient's motor function improved and there was a complete recovery of the neurologic deficit after a rehabilitation program. Conclusion: Epidural hematoma can happen after delayed traumatic event leading to a variable degree of neurologic damage.

Keywords

• Spine
• Hematoma
• Spinal cord compression