Clinical characteristics of patients with spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma / 中华神经医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the etiology,clinical presentation and treatment of patients with spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH). Methods Twelve patients diagnosed as having SSEH, admitted to our hospital from January 1995 to December 2010, were chosen in our study; 10 underwent surgical operation and 2 chose conversational therapy; the characteristics of onset,clinical presentations, diagnosis, treatment and results of follow-up were analyzed. Results No obvious reasons induced the onset of SSEH in these patients and all manifested as loss/decrement of myodynamia of the involved limbs,and bowel and bladder dysfunctions.Follow-up was performed for 6-18 months; 2 patients received hematoma lesion dissection by spinal canal decompression enjoyed entire recovery of neural dysfunction, while 8 showed no significant amelioration in spinal cord function besides mild improvement of bowel and bladder function; in the 2 patients chosing conversational therapy,1 achieved total recover of the nerve funtion and the other one partially recovered. Conclusion The etiology of SSEH remains indefinite and the prognosis is usually disappointed; permanent spinal cord dysfunction is seemly inevitable in most cases; prompt surgical intervention are of great importance for prognosis of SSEH and should be the first choice of therapy.