Traumatic cervical epidural hematoma in an infant

• Main Authors: Vithal Rangarajan, Sandip B Mavani, Trimurti D Nadkarni, Atul H Goel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine
• Subjects: Cervical epidural hematoma; cervical trauma; traumatic spinal hematoma
• Online Access: http://www.jcvjs.com/article.asp?issn=0974-8237;year=2013;volume=4;issue=1;spage=37;epage=39;aulast=Rangarajan

An 8-month-old male infant had presented with a history of a fall from the crib a fortnight ago. He had developed progressive weakness of both lower limbs. On examination, the infant had spastic paraplegia. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the cervical spine showed an epidural hematoma extending from the fourth cervical (C4) to the first dorsal (D1) vertebral level with cord compression. The patient had no bleeding disorder on investigation. He underwent cervical laminoplasty at C6 and C7 levels. The epidural hematoma was evacuated. The cervical cord started pulsating immediately. Postoperatively, the patient′s paraplegia improved dramatically in 48 hours. According to the author′s literature search, only seven cases of post-traumatic epidural hematoma have been reported in pediatric patients, and our patient is the youngest. The present case report discusses the etiopathology, presentation, and management of this rare case.