Acute spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma in a child

Spontaneous spinal epidural haematomas rarely occur. Patients tend to be in their sixties or seventies. Acute spontaneous spinal epidural haematomas in children without a predisposition for bleeding disorders, trauma, vascular malformations or anticoagulant therapy have seldom been described. We present a case of a 4-year-old girl with a spontaneous cervical epidural haematoma diagnosed with MR. Received: 20 January 2000; Revised: 18 April 2000; Accepted: 19 April 2000     

MR imaging in the diagnosis of spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas

Three patients with spontaneous (idiopathic) spinal epidural hematomas were diagnosed with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Magnetic resonance is an accurate, rapid method of localizing and characterizing the hematomas. We believe that MR (where available) should be the primary method of diagnosis in cases in which spinal epidural hematoma is suspected.     

Spontaneous craniospinal hypotension

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak has been called "spontaneous intracranial hypotension," emphasizing the intracranial symptoms and imaging findings. We present a patient with spontaneous CSF leak whose initial spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were thought to represent epidural tumor or infection. Subsequent MRI examinations showed an improvement of both intracranial and spinal CSF hypotension findings coinciding with clinical symptom resolution. We propose the term "spontaneous craniospinal hypotension" to better emphasize this syndrome's unifying intracranial and spinal pathophysiology and imaging findings.     

Brown-Séquard syndrome secondary to spontaneous bleed from postradiation cavernous angiomas

SUMMARY: The spontaneous occurrence of acute Brown-Séquard syndrome is an extremely rare event, with most reported cases being secondary to spontaneous epidural hematomas and spinal cord ischemia. We report a rare case of Brown-Séquard syndrome from spontaneous intraspinal hemorrhage in a patient with multiple cavernous angiomas in the spinal cord secondary to craniospinal radiation in childhood. Postulated mechanisms leading to the condition include postradiation molecular changes and venous occlusion.     

PROPELLER diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of acute spinal epidural hematoma

We present the case of an 86-year-old female with spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. Although T1- and T2-weighted images showed the dilated posterior epidural space at the cervical spine, this finding was non-specific on conventional magnetic resonance imaging obtained 15 h after the onset of symptoms. Diffusion-weighted imaging with the use of periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER), which clearly revealed the high intensity hematoma, was useful for detection and diagnosis of acute spinal epidural hematoma.     

Case report: spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature

Spontaneous epidural haematoma is rare in pregnancy and only five cases have been reported. We present a case of a 31-year-old female G2P1 who at 32 weeks of gestation developed progressive ascending paralysis and numbness to a level of approximately T4. An urgent MRI of the spine was performed, which demonstrated a posterior epidural lesion at T1-T4 level. The lesion showed signal changes consistent with an epidural haematoma in the hyperacute stage. An emergency cesarean section was performed followed by spinal decompression and removal of an epidural haematoma. The patient's neurological function subsequently improved. The diagnosis and management of spontaneous epidural haematoma in pregnancy is presented with a review of the literature.     

Imaging findings in spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage in patient with hemophilia A: an unusual cause for back pain

Back pain and presentation with spinal canal hemorrhage in hemophilia is not common; however, these are significant clinical issues and may lead to significant neurological issues and morbidity. We present an interesting case of severe back pain in a young patient with moderate hemophilia A. Imaging confirmed subarachnoid hemorrhage in the spinal canal without intracranial hemorrhage. To the best of our knowledge this is the first described case report of subarachnoid hemorrhage in hemophilia A in the English literature. We also describe the anatomy and imaging features of hemorrhage in the different spinal canal compartments, including the subarachnoid space. Spinal canal hemorrhage in hemophilia is an emergency and serious condition and must be diagnosed and treated promptly. It is important to be aware of the diagnostic features of the spinal canal hemorrhage and carefully assess the spinal canal in hemophiliacs on cross-sectional studies.     

Transient edema of the spinal cord as a result of spontaneous acute epidural hematoma in the thoracic spine

We present an unusual case of spontaneous epidural hemorrhage in the thoracic spine resulting in rapid onset of transient and extensive edema in the spinal cord. The patient presented with acute onset of midscapular back pain, bilateral lower extremity weakness, and bladder dysfunction. Repeat MRI 20 days after decompression of the hematoma showed residual hematoma and complete resolution of the spinal cord edema. The implications and differential diagnosis of spinal cord edema in this clinical setting are discussed.     

Spontaneous pneumorrhachis in bronchial asthma

We report on an 18-year-old male with bronchial asthma who presented with swelling over the neck and upper chest after a mild episode of bronchospasm. Physical examination was suggestive of subcutaneous emphysema, which was subsequently confirmed on a radiograph. Computed tomography in addition revealed pneumomediastinum and air within the epidural space of the spinal canal. Although spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema have been described in a variety of situations, including patients with asthma, spontaneous pneumorrhachis in asthmatics is a very rare entity.     

自发性椎管内硬膜外血肿的MRI诊断

目的探讨自发性椎管内硬膜外血肿（SSEH）的MRI特征,旨在提高对此病的认识水平。方法回顾性总结我院6例SSEH的MRI特征和相关临床资料,其中4例经手术和病理确诊,2例保守治疗随访有效。结果血肿位于颈胸段2例,胸段3例,腰段1例。5例血肿位于硬脊膜外腔后方,1例位于硬脊膜外腔侧后方,血肿累及l～3个脊髓节段。T1加权像呈等信号、Tz加权像呈高信号1例;T1加权像呈等信号、L加权像呈低信号3例;T1加权像呈高信号、T1加权像呈低信号2例。其中4例采用钆喷酸葡甲胺（Gd—DTPA）对比剂增强扫描,1例轻中度条片状强化;2例边缘轻度强化,其中1例类似环状;1例无明显强化。结论MRI易于检出自发性椎管内硬膜外血肿,可以准确显示其部位、形态、大小及周围组织的关系,可以作出定性诊断,对临床诊治具有重要价值。     

CT myelography of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma

A case of so-called spontaneous epidural hematoma is presented. A new constellation of myelographic and CT myelographic signs are described that may assist in localizing a mass within the spinal epidural space.     

Epidural abscess of the cervical spine: MR findings in five cases.

Cervical epidural abscess is an uncommon infectious process of the spinal epidural space. Although this disorder is often unsuspected clinically, the patient's signs and symptoms may suggest other diagnoses that frequently lead to an MR examination. We retrospectively reviewed the MR examinations of five patients with surgically proved cervical epidural abscess in order to assist in the diagnosis of this clinically elusive disorder. Each epidural abscess was evaluated for MR signal intensity, location, extent, delineation, and enhancement pattern. We assessed the spinal cord for compression and signal intensity and analyzed the vertebrae, intervertebral disks, and paraspinal soft tissue. Compared with the spinal cord, the abscess was isointense or hypointense on T1-weighted spin-echo images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. The abscess was hyperintense or isointense relative to the cord on T2* gradient-echo images. Enhancement of the abscess occurred in the two patients given an IV injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. The epidural abscess was located anteriorly in three patients, posteriorly in one, and was circumferential in one. The abscess extended from two to nine vertebral bodies in length. In each case, the abscess caused some degree of spinal cord compression, and one patient had bright signal intensity within the cord on T2-weighted images. Three patients had MR changes of accompanying osteomyelitis and paravertebral abscess. MR imaging is useful in diagnosing cervical epidural abscess and in evaluating associated abnormality of the spinal cord, vertebral bodies, intervertebral disks, and paraspinal soft tissue.     

Spinal MR findings in spontaneous intracranial hypotension

Whole spine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to evaluate the shape, size, signal intensity, and enhancement of the spinal spaces in a series of six patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). In all patients varying degrees of shrunken dural sacs, expanded extradural spaces with delayed homogeneous enhancement, and distended epidural venous plexuses were noted. In 83% (5/6) of patients, the MR signal of the expanded extradural space was similar to that of cerebrospinal fluid; 17% (1/6) showed an excessive fat deposit in the epidural space. Sixty-seven percent (4/6) of patients had a visible peridural membrane. After relief of the symptoms, one patient (1/4) showed persistence of the spinal abnormalities even though the brain abnormalities disappeared. In conclusion, the spinal MR findings of SIH, like its brain counterpart, are characteristic. In cases with clinical suspicion but without support from brain MR imaging, spinal MR imaging may be helpful in establishing the diagnosis.     

Spinal epidural hemangioma related to pregnancy

We report the case of a 39-year-old woman with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis presenting with myelopathy secondary to a spinal epidural hemangioma. MRI showed an epidural soft tissue mass within the spinal canal between T5 and T9 with severe spinal cord compression. Symptoms had a temporal relationship to her pregnancy. Surgical removal of the epidural hemangioma rapidly relieved her symptoms and neurologic deficits. Follow-up examination 2 years later demonstrated normal motor and sensory function, without any neurologic sequelae or progression of deformity. Received: 16 June 2000 Revision requested: 2 June 2000 Revision received: 13 September 2000 Accepted: 25 September 2000     

Diagnostic criteria for spontaneous spinal CSF leaks and intracranial hypotension

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Comprehensive diagnostic criteria encompassing the varied clinical and radiographic manifestations of spontaneous intracranial hypotension are not available. Therefore, we propose a new set of diagnostic criteria.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The diagnostic criteria are based on results of brain and spine imaging, clinical manifestations, results of lumbar puncture, and response to epidural blood patching. The diagnostic criteria include criterion A, the demonstration of extrathecal CSF on spinal imaging. If criterion A is not met, criterion B, which is cranial MR imaging findings of spontaneous intracranial hypotension, follows, with at least one of the following: 1) low opening pressure, 2) spinal meningeal diverticulum, or 3) improvement of symptoms after epidural blood patch. If criteria A and B are not met, there is criterion C, the presence of all of the following or at least 2 of the following if typical orthostatic headaches are present: 1) low opening pressure, 2) spinal meningeal diverticulum, and 3) improvement of symptoms after epidural blood patch. These criteria were applied to a group of 107 consecutive patients evaluated for spontaneous spinal CSF leaks and intracranial hypotension.RESULTS: The diagnosis was confirmed in 94 patients, with use of criterion A in 78 patients, criterion B in 11 patients, and criterion C in 5 patients.CONCLUSIONS:A new diagnostic scheme is presented reflecting the wide spectrum of clinical and radiographic manifestations of spontaneous spinal CSF leaks and intracranial hypotension.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is an increasingly recognized cause of new daily persistent headaches, particularly among young and middle-aged people, but an initial misdiagnosis remains common.¹ Mechanical factors combine with an underlying structural dural disorder to cause the primary spontaneous spinal CSF leak.^2,3 The prototypical patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension presents with orthostatic headaches, has pachymeningeal enhancement on cranial MR imaging, and is treated with an epidural blood patch, as reflected by the revised 2004 diagnostic criteria according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-2).⁴ However, it has become well established that the spectrum of clinical as well as radiographic manifestations of spontaneous intracranial hypotension is unusually broad,^1,5 and this is not reflected by the ICHD-2 criteria. We report a new set of diagnostic criteria for spontaneous spinal CSF leaks and spontaneous intracranial hypotension encompassing its varied clinical and radiographic manifestations. The intent of these criteria is to present a diagnostic scheme that can be used to more reliably diagnose spontaneous spinal CSF leaks and intracranial hypotension.     

Computed tomography of spontaneous acute cervical epidural hematoma

Cervical spinal epidural hematoma is a rare cause of acute neurologic syndromes including paralysis of various types. Although devastating, it can be successfully treated surgically if recognized early. We report two cases of spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma diagnosed by computed tomography, the first with a plain scan and the second with a scan after intrathecal injection of metrizamide. In both patients the diagnosis was not clinically suspected. Surgery resulted in a dramatic improvement of the neurologic deficit in both cases.     

Spinal radiological findings in nine patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension

Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) are well known, while spinal studies have received less attention. Radiological spinal findings in nine patients with SIH are presented, looking for possible characteristic features. Five of the nine patients had histories of previous minor trauma, one of previous surgery; in three patients possible relevant preceding events were completely absent. All nine patients had cervical, seven thoracic, and four lumbar spine MRI studies; post-contrast studies were obtained in seven cases, MRI myelograms in five. Radioisotope myelocisternography was performed in four patients and myelo-CT in four. Epidural fluid collections were found in seven patients. In six cases the dural sac had collapsed, with a festooned appearance; intense epidural enhancement on post-contrast studies demonstrated marked dilatation of the epidural venous plexus. In three cases an irregular root sleeve suggested a possible point of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Myelo-CT demonstrated the CSF fistula in two cases, radioisotope myelocisternography in three. The pattern of spinal abnormalities is different from that seen in cranial MRI for anatomical reasons: in the spinal canal the dura is not adherent to the bone; therefore, collapse of the dural sac and dilatation of epidural venous plexus occur, rather than subdural hematomas. In most cases the search for the dural tear is difficult. Radioisotope cisternography is probably the most sensitive examination for documenting the leakage of CSF out of the subarachnoid space; myelo-CT may precisely demonstrate the point of the CSF fistula, whereas MRI may only suggest it.     

Resolution of epidural hematoma related to osteoporotic fracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty

We are the first to report a case that showed spontaneous resolution of epidural hematoma which was related to a steroid-induced osteoporotic compression fracture.The patient had a painful fracture with an intravertebral cleft at L1 accompanying an epidural hematoma posteriorly.Immediate pain relief was achieved after percutaneous vertebroplasty.Complete resolution of hematoma was noted three months after procedure.We theorized that intravertebral stability after treatment might have played a role in this patient.     

自发性脊髓硬膜外血肿的MRI诊断

目的 探讨自发性脊柱硬膜外血肿MRI表现特征.方法 对9例自发性脊髓硬膜外血肿的MRI表现作回顾性分析,本组患者均无明显的外伤史,发病后4～24h行MRI检查5例,1～3天行MRI检查3例,5天行MRI检查1例.常规横轴面、矢状面T2WI、TIWI及T2 WI脂肪抑制技术.结果 血肿发生于颈段4例,胸段2例,颈胸交界部2例,腰段1例.9例均表现为脊髓硬膜外梭形,长度7～12cm.血肿位于脊髓正后方4例,脊髓右后方3例,脊髓左后方1例,脊髓正前方1例,脊髓不同程度受压移位,脊髓与血肿间见线条状低信号影.4～24h行MRI检查5例,于T2 WI上呈稍高信号3例,高信号1例,等信号1例;于T11WI上呈等信号3例,等低信号2例.1～3天行MRI检查3例,于T2WI上呈低信号1例,等信号1例,等低信号1例;于T1WI上呈等信号2例,等低信号1例.5天行MRI检查1例,于T2 WI上呈低信号;T1WI上呈稍高信号.9例中T2WI压脂上呈低信号3例,等信号4例,高信号2例.结论 MRI是诊断自发性脊髓硬膜外血肿的最佳检查方法,不仅可以清楚地显示血肿的部位及范围,而且可以清楚地显示血肿新旧程度.     

MRI of acute spinal epidural hematomas.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to determine the MR findings that characterize acute spinal epidural hematomas (ASEHs). METHOD: The MR findings of 17 patients with ASEH (9 cervical, 7 thoracic, and 2 lumbar) were reviewed. Fifteen of the hematomas were secondary to trauma and two were spontaneous. Correlation with CT (8 cases) and surgical findings (11 cases) was also performed. RESULTS: Imaging findings in ASEH were the following: (a) a variable signal intensity (on T1-weighted images, 10 showed isointensity to cord and 7 were slightly hyperintense; T2-weighted images showed hyperintensity with areas of hypointensity); (b) capping of epidural fat; (c) direct continuity with the adjacent osseous structures; (d) compression of epidural fat, subarachnoid sac, and spinal cord; (e) usually posterolateral location in the spinal canal. CONCLUSION: Epidural hematomas in the spinal canal are lesions capable of producing sudden spinal cord and/or cauda equina compression. MR provides characteristic findings that allow a prompt diagnosis of acute epidural hematomas.