Radiologic Features and Clinical Course of Chronic Spinal Epidural Hematoma: Report of 4 Cases and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a potentially devastating problem that requires rapid diagnosis and surgical intervention. A chronic course is rarely seen following SEH, and the clinical characteristics are quite different from acute cases. The epidemiology, clinical history, and radiologic findings of chronic SEH (CSEH) are not well understood, although the detection rate has increased with the widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging. The purpose of this article was to report 4 cases of surgically confirmed CSEH and clarify the radiologic features and clinical scenarios by reviewing all published cases of CSEH.

CASE DESCRIPTION

All 4 patients presented with gradually worsening radicular pain in the lower extremities. Patients' mean age was 69.5 years (range, 55-85 years). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an epidural mass in the lower lumbar spine that was heterogeneously enhanced after gadolinium administration. The rim of the mass was low intensity on T2*-weighted images. Local erosions of the adjacent cortical bone were seen with computed tomography in all cases. All patients' postoperative courses were satisfactory with complete disappearance of radicular symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

CSEH is a rare disease, and it is difficult to diagnose preoperatively on the basis of diagnostic imaging. The incidence of a low-intensity rim on T2*-weighted images and bone erosions on computed tomography may help differentiate rare CSEH from other lumbar degenerative diseases and epidural space-occupying masses.