Nontraumatic Spontaneous Cervical Epidural Hematoma

ABSTRACT

Nontraumatic spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare entity, which can be associated with a severe neurologic deficit. The presenting symptoms are usually back or neck pain, either local or radicular, followed by progressive bilateral weakness, and sensory loss hours and even days later. In the absence of precipitating factors such as severe trauma or known coagulopathy, the diagnosis may be delayed. Imaging, including cervical CT or MRI, may play an essential role for the prompt diagnosis and differentiation from other cervical pathologies. With a full review of the literature, we report and discuss a case of nontraumatic cervical epidural hematoma in which a 67-year-old female visited the emergency center for neck and right shoulder pain. She experienced a complete recovery after conservative treatment only.