Delayed traumatic thoracic spinal epidural hematoma: a case report and literature review

Spinal epidural hematoma is a relatively uncommon disease, but an important cause leading to cord compression. Posttraumatic spinal epidural hematoma is a rare entity and remains a challenge for clinical physicians. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best choice for early diagnosis, and urgent surgical decompression with evacuation of hematoma could improve some neurologic deficits, especially vital cord functions. We presented a 77-year-old woman who sustained back pain after a fall 1 month before admission, complaining of progressive weakness and sensory loss in bilateral lower extremities since 2 weeks before admission. Radiography of the thoracic spine revealed decreased body height at T10 and compression fracture. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine revealed epidural hematomas at the level of T11 to T12. An urgent decompressive laminectomy with evacuation of hematoma was performed immediately. Postoperatively, her previous neurologic deficits improved except for an underactive neurogenic bladder and fecal incontinence.