Post-traumatic thoracolumbar spinal epidural haematoma in a child: a rare clinical entity. Issue 12 (3rd December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vashisht, Saurabh; Dagar, Ashish; Kumar, Vishal; Dhatt, Sarvdeep Singh
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 12:Issue 12(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12-03
• Subjects: orthopaedic and trauma surgery -- neurological injury -- spinal cord -- back pain -- paediatrics; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2019-232055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Post-traumatic spinal epidural haematoma (SEH) is a rare clinical entity in children. We are reporting the case of an 8-year-old child who presented with thoracolumbar SEH with neurological deficit. MRI confirmed SEH without bony disruption. Emergency evacuation of haematoma was done. There was an improvement in neurological status after removal of haematoma. Diagnosis of this rare condition is tricky in children owing to variable presenting symptoms, especially in an early stage with subtle neurological changes. There should be high clinical suspicion in children with atypical symptoms, and MRI should be done to confirm the diagnosis. Patients with acute neurological deficit should undergo urgent operative decompression. Conservative treatment has a limited role. Patients may be considered for non-operative management if they have medical contraindications, coagulation dysfunction or a small SEH without neurological deficit. These patients require serial MRI monitoring.