Neurologic Complication Following Spinal Epidural Anesthesia in a Patient with Spinal Intradural Extramedullary Tumor

Paraplegia following spinal epidural anesthesia is extremely rare. Various lesions for neurologic complications have been documented in the literature. We report a 66-year-old female who developed paraplegia after left knee surgery for osteoarthritis under spinal epidural anesthesia. In the recovery room, paraplegia and numbness below T4 vertebra was checked. A magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan showed a spinal thoracic intradural extramedullary (IDEM) tumor. After extirpation of the tumor, the motor weakness improved to the grade of 3/5. If a neurologic deficit following spinal epidural anesthesia does not resolve, a MRI should be performed without delay to accurately diagnose the cause of the deficit and optimal treatment should be rendered for the causative lesion.     

MRI detection of epidural spinal abscesses at noncontiguous sites

We report the cases of two patients with the very uncommon clinical finding of two noncontiguous spinal epidural abscesses, which were located in the cervical and lumbar spine. In each case the diagnosis of the second spinal abscess was made by MRI only after the appearance of a new neurological deficit. Decompressive spinal surgery and intravenous antibiotic therapy led to complete recovery in one patient; the other patient was moderately disabled. As epidural spinal abscesses can occur at noncontiguous sites, MRI of the entire spine may be necessary in selected cases.     

自发性硬脊膜外血肿

目的探讨自发性硬脊膜外血肿的出血原因、临床表现、MRI特征、诊断及治疗。方法本组7例自发性硬脊膜外血肿患者均行MRI检查。均采用后正中入路,行椎管探查、硬脊膜外血肿清除术并椎板减压术,4例术中见硬脊膜外血管畸形,分别在显微镜下予以结扎或电凝并切除病变。结果本组无1例死亡。随访0.5~2.5年,患者均预后良好,按脊髓损伤的Frankel分级,D级4例,E级3例。无复发。结论MRI检查能清楚显示血肿的部位、范围及脊髓受损情况,是诊断本病的最佳方法,及时的脊髓减压手术是改善自发性硬脊膜外血肿患者预后的关键。     

Lower limb monoplegia and dissociated hypoesthesia after peridural anesthesia]

Neurological sequelae reported after epidural anesthesia include epidural hematoma, spinal cord ischemic injury and lumbosacral nerve root injury. We describe here a case of monoplegia of the right lower limb associated with an ipsilateral loss of perception of pain and temperature following an epidural anesthesia. MRI was compatible with a right centrolateral infarction in the gray matter of the spinal cord below D8. Hypotension, vascular spasm, trauma, arteriosclerosis, pressure increase in the epidural space are potential causative mechanisms. Unilateral symptoms might result from injury to a sulcocommissural artery or an anterior spinal artery when duplicated.     

Can spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma be managed safely without operation? a report of four cases

The presentation, investigation, and management of four patients with spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma is presented. In each case the diagnosis was made by MRI. At the time of diagnosis spontaneous recovery had started in each patient and therefore they were all treated conservatively. In each case follow up MRI confirmed rapid reduction in the size of the haematoma and no underlying cause was demonstrated. The presentation, diagnosis, and rationale for treatment are discussed. Conservative treatment is safe in some cases of spinal epidural haematoma if early neurological recovery has started.     

A case report of spinal epidural Ki-1 lymphoma presenting acute paraplegia without spinal cord compression at the first onset]

A 68-year-old man noticed weakness in both legs, which worsened rapidly with additional urinary disturbance. At the time of admission, a neurological examination revealed spastic paraplegia. Sensation was intact. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not show any lesions in the spinal cord. Thereafter, sensory disturbance under Th5 level and weakness in both hands developed gradually. Seven months after the onset, he noticed pain of the right upper arm. MRI showed an epidural mass at the level between the lower cervical and the upper thoracic spine. Histological examination of the epidural mass revealed Ki-1 lymphoma. In this case, the diagnosis was difficult, because lymphoma did not present epidural mass in the early stage. We speculate that spinal epidural lymphoma might disturb venous circulation and cause myelopathy in this patient.     

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: Pre-operative diagnosis by MRI

A case of “spontaneous” spinal epidural hematoma diagnosed by MRI confirms the accuracy of the procedure in establishing the nature of the lesion, in delineating its topography and its effects on the spinal cord. MRI, when available, should be regarded as a primary method of investigation.     

Spinal Cord Compression Secondary to Epidural Bilharzioma: Case Report

A case of an epidural granuloma due to Schistosoma mansoni compressing the spinal cord at T7-T9 is presented. The patient, a 35-year-old Brazilian man, started complaining of recurrent back pain since 2003. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed a large epidural mass extending from T7 to T9 and causing mild spinal cord compression. Through a bilateral laminectomy the bilharzioma was subtotally removed without significant bleeding. The histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of granuloma due to S. mansoni. The patient recovered completely. Although the MRI is nonspecific, this differential diagnosis should be included in homogeneous epidural lesions without bone involvement, more than ever in endemic countries or during the evaluation of travelers to those regions.     

椎管内硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤的诊治

目的总结单纯椎管内硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤的诊治经验。方法回顾性分析2006年2月至2009年3月经病理证实的7例单纯椎管内硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤患者的临床表现、MRI特征和手术结果。结果 7例均表现为慢性双下肢麻木及无力,1例伴有神经根性症状;脊柱MRI显示6例病变位于胸椎,1例位于颈胸交界区;所有病变均达到手术全切,术后所有患者神经功能症状明显改善。结论单纯椎管内硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤临床少见;主要表现为脊髓及神经根慢性受压而出现神经功能缺损症状及体征;脊柱MRI示病变位于硬脊膜外脊髓背侧或一侧,且有经相应椎间孔向外生长的趋势;手术切除病变较为容易,术后患者神经功能改善明显。     

A case of extramedullary multiple myeloma manifested as an epidural mass in the cervical spinal cord]

A 76-year-old man who rapidly developed quadriparesis was admitted to our hospital. MRI showed an epidural mass extending from C4 to C6, displacing the spinal cord anteriorly. It showed isointensity on the T1-weighted imagines, hyperintensity on the T2-weighted images, and diffuse hyperintensity with gadolinium enhancement. Plain radiographs, CT and MRI showed no evidence of bone involvement. Serum immunoelectrophoresis disclosed M-components of IgA and lambda light chains. This is the first report that an epidural myeloma in the cervical spinal cord caused compression of the cord without evidence of bone involvement.     

Solitary spinal epidural cavernous haemangioma presenting as acute epidural haematoma

This report describes a case of solitary spinal epidural cavernous haemangioma presenting as an acute epiduralhaematoma. The patient is a 50 year old diabetic female with right brachalgia and hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated the presence of a cervical spinal epidural haematoma. The patient underwent laminectomy and total removal of the haematoma and the accompanying vascular tissue. The diagnosis of cavernous haernangioma was proven by histological examination. Because the source of bleeding in most cases of spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma is usually obscure, the authors emphasise the possibility that a small cavernous haemangioma can be one of the bleeding sources in some of these cases.     

急性硬脊膜外血肿的诊治特点

目的探讨急性硬脊膜外血肿的病因、临床诊治特点。方法分析近15年来经手术治疗的38例急性硬脊膜外血肿的病因、临床表现、MRI/DSA影像学及显微手术特点。结果38例病人均行MRI检查,28例直接手术清除血肿;10例行DSA检查,6例先行硬脊膜动静脉瘘(AVF)供血动脉栓塞,再手术清除血肿并切除瘘口,1例患者术前诊断急性硬脊膜外血肿,术后病理证实为脊髓结核急性期。随访2~9年。神经系统恢复到正常情况的13例;有轻度神经系统改变但生活可以自理的19例;需他人帮助者4例;2例因血肿压迫时间长,术后双下肢瘫痪及尿潴留未改善;本组无死亡病例。结论急性硬脊膜外血肿的早期诊断和早期治疗是提高疗效的关键。脊髓MRI检查是诊断急性硬脊膜外血肿的首选方法,清除血肿减轻其对脊髓的压迫是治疗本病的唯一有效方法,大的、高血流量的AVF术前栓塞供血动脉可减少术中出血。     

Spinal epidural angiolipoma

Spinal epidural angiolipoma is a rare benign tumor predominantly located in the mid-thoracic region. The authors report a case of spinal epidural angiolipoma in a 36-year old woman who presented with subacute paraplegia. Clinico-pathological and MRI findings of this uncommon tumor are discussed.     

Imaging features of spinal epidural cavernous malformations

Cavernous angioma or cavernoma is a vascular malformation that may affect any area in the neuraxis. Epidural location is very rare and therefore seldom considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal cord compression. We report two cases of epidural cavernous angiomas. The first case is a solitary and purely epidural dorsal cavernous angioma without foraminal expansion or bone modification causing spinal cord compression in a 35 year old woman. The second case is a solitary epidural dorsal cavernous angioma with foraminal extension causing spinal cord compression in a 56 year old woman. Histological confirmation is available for both cases. We describe the MRI features of this lesion insisting on its differential diagnosis on imaging.     

Intrinsic spinal cord lesions complicating epidural anaesthesia and analgesia: report of three cases

Serious neurological complications related to epidural anaesthesia and analgesia are only rarely reported. We describe the clinical and radiological features of three patients who sustained intrinsic spinal cord lesions after attempted epidural catheterisation. In each case there was an early onset of motor and sensory impairment after the procedure and MRI demonstrated similar, extensive, paracentral, high signal intensity lesions within the cord on T2 weighted images. Possible mechanisms to explain these MRI appearances are discussed. It is proposed that the most likely cause of these lesions was direct trauma to the spinal cord during the procedure and subsequent injection of fluid into the spinal cord producing localised hydromyelia. The prognosis in each case was for a gradual recovery of motor function but spinothalamic sensory impairment and severe spontaneous pain over the affected area persisted.     

Dynamic Lumbar Spinal Stenosis : The Usefulness of Axial Loaded MRI in Preoperative Evaluation

Two cases of dynamic lumbar spinal stenosis were identified by the authors using axial loaded magnetic resonance image (MRI). In both cases, the patients presented with neurogenic claudication but MRI in decumbency showed no definite pathologic condition associated with their symptoms. In contrast, axial loaded MRI demonstrated constrictive spinal stenosis and a significantly decreased dural sac caused by epidural fat buckling and thickening of the ligamentum flavum in both cases. In the second case, a more prominent disc protrusion was also demonstrated compared with decumbent MRI. After decompressive surgery, both patients had satisfactory outcomes. Axial loaded MRI can therefore give decisive information in dynamic spinal disorders by allowing simulation of an upright position.     

Two cases of spinal epidural lipomatosis]

Two cases of spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) were reported. Patient 1 was on oral corticosteroid and patient 2 was obese and had prostate cancer. Patient 1 was a 45-year-old man diagnosed as sarcoid myelopathy at C 5/6 vertebral body levels and had been placed on oral corticosteroid therapy for 14 months. He showed spastic paraplegia, hypesthesia below C 4 level with distal dominancy and dysesthesia below Th 6 level. MRI revealed epidural lipomatosis from Th 3 to Th 9 vertebral bodies, which presented high in T 1 weighted image (WI) and T 2 WI, and non-signal in STIR image. On axial image spinal cord was compressed by this mass. Patient 2 was a 73-year-old man with spastic paraplegia, and superficial and deep sensory disturbances below Th 6. He had been obese (BMI 26.1) upon admission. He was diagnosed as prostate cancer with bone metastasis. On MRI of the thoracic spine revealed epidural mass of high in T 1 WI and T 2 WI, and non-signal in STIR image. SEL is a rare condition known as hyperplasia of normal fat tissue in epidural space which sometimes compresses the spinal cord or spinal nerve roots resulting in neurologic deficit. SEL should be kept in mind as having possible neurologic complications in obese patients or ones on long term steroid therapy.     

Acute cervical spinal epidural hematoma during antithrombotic therapy: dual warnings against antithrombotic therapy]

Two aged women suddenly suffered from severe cervical and back pain followed by ipsilateral hemiparesis sparing the face. One woman had taken anticoagulant for prosthetic mitral valve and another had taken antiplatelet for prevention of recurrent brain infarction. On admission, MRI did not document any definite lesions in the brain, and revealed epidural hematoma compressing the cervical spinal cord for both patients. We promptly stopped their anticoagulants and antiplatelets use, because the agents seemed to be the leading cause of hematoma. In addition, we performed emergent laminectomy and evacuation of hematoma for the former patient. These cases suggest dual warnings against recently prevalent antithrombotic therapy for patients with histories of thromboembolic accidents. First, we should be careful about spinal epidural hematoma as a hemorrhagic complication of antithrombotic therapy. Second, we should not misdiagnose spinal epidural hematoma as ischemic stroke nor select hyperacute thrombolytic therapy. Cervical pain and hemiparesis sparing face are important signs for distinction of spinal epidural hematoma from stroke.     

A patient with delayed traumatic cervical spinal epidural haematoma presenting with hemiparesis

Delayed presentation of spinal epidural haematoma post-trauma is rare, and portends a significant management challenge for clinicians. A 57-year-old female presented 1 week after motor vehicle accident with a 24-hour history of progressive interscapular pain and right-sided hemiparesis. Urgent spinal MRI demonstrated an extensive epidural haematoma extending from C3 to T2. The patient made an excellent post-operative neurological recovery. The importance of clinical suspicion is highlighted, especially in patients presenting with unilateral neurological deficits, as well as expeditious spinal radiography (including CT scans) and emergent surgical treatment in achieving positive clinical outcomes.     

Spinal epidural abscess as the cause of torticollis--diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging

Spinal epidural abscesses are rare, accounting for only 0.2-1.2 of every 10,000 hospital admissions. Because they often present with non-specific symptoms, they are frequently misdiagnosed. We present a case in which superconduction MRI was used to make the diagnosis and to follow the clinical course of a spinal epidural abscess. In December 1988, a 33-year-old male developed spiking fever and the sudden onset of torticollis. He had had a cerebral palsy from birth, with chronic tetraparesis and mental retardation. Isolation of staphylococcus aureus in urine and blood cultures confirmed the diagnosis of pyelonephritis and septicemia. A high fever persisted despite antibiotic therapy commenced immediately. A technetium 99 m scan showed a localized uptake of isotope in the cervical spine. An MRI examination performed in the following day under sedation showed a mass with the same signal intensity as muscle on T1-weighted images. It was located behind the vertebral bodies C1-Th1 compressing the spinal cord. In addition, a lesion with a decreased signal was also evident in the C5-C6 vertebral bodies. Because of torticollis, the patient was unable to keep his head still for a sufficient period of time, to obtain T2-weighted imaging. The MRI findings indicated the presence of a spinal epidural abscess and osteomyelitis. A second MRI done one month after admission showed a reduction in the size of the epidural mass, but further diminishing of the signal intensity of the vertebral lesion. One month later, the patient underwent the surgical removal of the pus and inflammatory soft tissue, and anterior fusion. The torticollis resolved following the operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)