title: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma inducing acute anterior spinal cord syndrome.
abstract: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is rare. Its etiology remains controversial; however, spinal venous wall susceptibility to intravenous pressure change and the resultant venous rupture seem to be involved. The authors report a case of SSEH dorsal to the spine producing acute anterior spinal cord syndrome. A posterior SSEH between the C-3 and T-5 levels caused progressive tetraparesis and the disappearance of superficial body sensation below the level of C-8, although deep sensation remained completely intact. This neurological false localizing sign seems to have resulted from counterforce by preexisting asymptomatic cervical intervertebral disc herniation at the C6-7 levels inducing direct pressure on the anterior spinal cord. This case is the first reported instance of posterior cervical SSEH manifesting acute anterior spinal cord syndrome as its false localizing sign.
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata-city, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Ai
authors: A
authors: Kunizawa
authors: Masayuki
authors: M
authors: Fujioka
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Suzuki
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Ryu
authors: Akio
authors: A
authors: Asai
authors: Keiji
authors: K
authors: Kawamoto
authors: Yasuhide
authors: Y
authors: Kitazawa
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D046748:Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae