title: Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma mimicking meningitis in a 2-year-old child--a case report and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report the case of a 2-year-old boy with suspected meningitis who presented with acute onset neck pain and stiffness associated with right-sided weakness and ataxia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite intravenous antibiotics and antiviral treatment, his condition deteriorated. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated spontaneous cervical epidural haematoma (C4-C7) extending down to thoracic (T7) level with associated compression of the spinal cord. He was treated successfully by neurosurgical decompression and made a complete recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spinal epidural haematoma is a neurosurgical emergency characterised by extravasation of blood in the spinal epidural space. The clinical presentation particularly in young children can masquerade other conditions such as meningitis. In this article, we discuss our case and review the literature on spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma with an aim to improve awareness of this condition which if not recognised and treated early can lead to significant lifelong morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Jackson Rees Department of Anaesthesia, Alder Hey Children's Hospital NHS Trust, Eaton Road, West Derby, Liverpool, L12 2AP, UK, deepajumani@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Jumani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Littlewood
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iyer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fellows
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Healey
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abernethy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spinty
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sarginson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pettorini
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D046748:Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery