title: Clinics in diagnostic imaging (150).
abstract: Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma is a rarely encountered cause of back pain. It often leads to cauda equina syndrome, necessitating emergency spinal surgery. We report the case of a 19-year-old Chinese man who presented with pain in the lower back, which started after he had carried some heavy boxes. He denied a history of fall or trauma. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed a hyperintense biconvex-shaped lesion in the posterior epidural space on both T1- and T2-weighted sequences, diagnostic of a spinal epidural haematoma. The patient, who was admitted and managed conservatively, had gradual resolution of his pain. No neurological deficit was detected on discharge or on follow-up. Repeat MR imaging showed total resolution of the lumbar spinal epidural haematoma. The clinical characteristics, MR imaging features, diagnosis and management of spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Alexandra Health, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore 768828. wilfred.peh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nor Azam
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mahmud
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Alexandra Health, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore 768828. wilfred.peh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dinesh R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Alexandra Health, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore 768828. wilfred.peh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Steven B S
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Alexandra Health, 90 Yishun Central, Singapore 768828. wilfred.peh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Wilfred C G
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Peh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D046748:Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis; D055815:Young Adult