[Follow up of a spontaneous ventral subarachnoid spinal haematoma by means of magnetic resonance].
BACKGROUND
Subarachnoid spinal haematomas are uncommon when compared with epidural and subdural hematomas. Since bleeding is into the cerebro spinal fluid, its composition and pulsatility make it difficult for the blood to coagulate. It is even rarer for bleeding to be spontaneous, with no demonstrable cause on laboratory and neuro imaging investigations. Usually occupation of the vertebral canal by a haematoma indicates the need for surgical decompression to free the spinal cord or medulla oblongata. Magnetic resonance is the technique of choice to study disorders of the spinal cord and soft tissues, due to the clear contrast imaging.


METHODS
We report the case of a 70 year old woman with acute lumbar pain followed by motor deficit in both legs. Magnetic resonance showed a collection of blood in the subarachnoid space ventral to the medullar oblongata. In spite of doing laboratory and radio imaging investigations, no cause could be found for the bleeding. Hematomas ventral to the spinal cord can be treated medically as there is less risk of spinal compression at this site, since the subarachnoid space is greater. The patient improved with conservative treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnetic resonance following treatment showed that the subarachnoid hematoma had resolved.
Cabrera  Manchola
A
A
OSATEK Resonancia Magnética, Vitoria - Gasteiz, 01009, España. aczubi@yahoo.es
Manchola
I
I
Larena
J A
JA
Martínez de Guereñu
B
B
Casado
O
O
D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology; D012074:Remission Induction; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone