Complete motor recovery after acute paraparesis caused by spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: case report.
BMC Emerg Med
; 11: 10, 2011 Jul 27.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21794133
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a relatively rare but potentially disabling disease. Prompt timely surgical management may promote recovery even in severe cases. CASE PRESENTATION We report a 34-year-old man with a 2-hour history of sudden severe back pain, followed by weakness and numbness over the bilateral lower limbs, progressing to intense paraparesis and anesthesia. A spinal magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed and revealed an anterior epidural hematoma of the thoracic spine. He underwent an emergency decompression laminectomy of the thoracic spine and hematoma evacuation. Just after surgery, his lower extremity movements improved. After 1 week, there was no residual weakness and ambulation without assistance was resumed, with residual paresthesia on the plantar face of both feet. After 5 months, no residual symptoms persisted.CONCLUSIONS:
The diagnosis of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma must be kept in mind in cases of sudden back pain with symptoms of spinal cord compression. Early recognition, accurate diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment may result in significant improvement even in severe cases.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Paraparesis
/
Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
BMC Emerg Med
Journal subject:
MEDICINA DE EMERGENCIA
Year:
2011
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil