title: Acute spinal epidural hematoma.
abstract: A 17-year-old female presented to the Emergency Department with a history of recent onset of severe upper thoracic back pain, urinary retention, weakness and paraesthesia in the lower limbs. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan demonstrated a spinal epidural hematoma at the C7-T2 level. This report highlights a rare, but eminently treatable condition; the use of MRI Scan as a specific diagnostic tool; and the need for urgent surgical decompression to ensure good recovery of function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, Australia.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Vinen
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006407:Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology