Abstract:Spinal epidural space is a real anatomic space located outside the dura mater and within the spinal canal extending from foramen magnum to sacrum. Important contents of this space are epidural fat, spinal nerves, epidural veins and arteries. Due to close proximity of posterior epidural space to spinal cord and spinal nerves, the lesions present with symptoms of radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. In this pictorial essay, detailed anatomy of the posterior epidural space, pathologies affecting it along with imaging… Show more
“…1 After the introduction of MRI the incidence and number of diagnosed have further increased. [5][6][7] A spinal epidural hematoma can occur in the absence of any trauma or iatrogenic procedures. This definition also includes causes, such as a tumor, coagulopathy, vascular malformation, and cavernous angioma.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…This definition also includes causes, such as a tumor, coagulopathy, vascular malformation, and cavernous angioma. 1,2,4,7 The age of patients has bimodal peaks, with an increase in the second and seventh decades. 7 Halim et al 10 demonstrated that there is no significant correlation with sex and race.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…1,2,4,7 The age of patients has bimodal peaks, with an increase in the second and seventh decades. 7 Halim et al 10 demonstrated that there is no significant correlation with sex and race. 10 SSEH can be clinically presented as transverse myelitis, dissecting aortic aneurysm, ruptured cervical herniated disk, epidural neoplasia, or infection, such as an epidural abscess.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…There is a combination of severe pain and neurologic deficit. Most patients present with severe back or neck pain, often with a radicular component 7 ; however, some cases have been reported without neck pain. 11 After sudden and abrupt pain, motor or sensory deficits occur.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…2,5,6 The radiologic differential diagnoses include epidural abscess and spinal epidural lymphoma. 7 The aim of this study is to report a case of acute SSEH without any previous predisposing factors, with the patient presenting with sudden onset of neck pain followed by motor deficits. The patient was successfully treated surgically.…”
Spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma is an uncommon cause of acute spinal cord compression. This is a rare idiopathic condition that leads to acute onset of neurologic deficits, which if not recognized early can have catastrophic consequences. Acute cervical epidural hematoma is definitely a condition of neurologic emergency. Although it is a rare condition, it must be considered in nontraumatic patients with sudden onset of neurologic deficits. Patients with spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma typically present with acute onset of severe back pain, and they rapidly develop signs of compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina. Here, we present a case of a 31-year-old man who presented with acute onset of neck pain with radicular component with progressive neurologic deficit. Emergent magnetic resonance imaging revealed cervical extradural hematoma with cord compression that was promptly evacuated. Functional recovery was achieved within 48 hours. The level of preoperative neurologic deficit and its severity, as well as operative interval, are important factors significantly affecting the postoperative outcome.
“…1 After the introduction of MRI the incidence and number of diagnosed have further increased. [5][6][7] A spinal epidural hematoma can occur in the absence of any trauma or iatrogenic procedures. This definition also includes causes, such as a tumor, coagulopathy, vascular malformation, and cavernous angioma.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…This definition also includes causes, such as a tumor, coagulopathy, vascular malformation, and cavernous angioma. 1,2,4,7 The age of patients has bimodal peaks, with an increase in the second and seventh decades. 7 Halim et al 10 demonstrated that there is no significant correlation with sex and race.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…1,2,4,7 The age of patients has bimodal peaks, with an increase in the second and seventh decades. 7 Halim et al 10 demonstrated that there is no significant correlation with sex and race. 10 SSEH can be clinically presented as transverse myelitis, dissecting aortic aneurysm, ruptured cervical herniated disk, epidural neoplasia, or infection, such as an epidural abscess.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…There is a combination of severe pain and neurologic deficit. Most patients present with severe back or neck pain, often with a radicular component 7 ; however, some cases have been reported without neck pain. 11 After sudden and abrupt pain, motor or sensory deficits occur.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…2,5,6 The radiologic differential diagnoses include epidural abscess and spinal epidural lymphoma. 7 The aim of this study is to report a case of acute SSEH without any previous predisposing factors, with the patient presenting with sudden onset of neck pain followed by motor deficits. The patient was successfully treated surgically.…”
Spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma is an uncommon cause of acute spinal cord compression. This is a rare idiopathic condition that leads to acute onset of neurologic deficits, which if not recognized early can have catastrophic consequences. Acute cervical epidural hematoma is definitely a condition of neurologic emergency. Although it is a rare condition, it must be considered in nontraumatic patients with sudden onset of neurologic deficits. Patients with spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma typically present with acute onset of severe back pain, and they rapidly develop signs of compression of the spinal cord or cauda equina. Here, we present a case of a 31-year-old man who presented with acute onset of neck pain with radicular component with progressive neurologic deficit. Emergent magnetic resonance imaging revealed cervical extradural hematoma with cord compression that was promptly evacuated. Functional recovery was achieved within 48 hours. The level of preoperative neurologic deficit and its severity, as well as operative interval, are important factors significantly affecting the postoperative outcome.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are present in fat tissues throughout the body, yet little is known regarding their biological role within epidural fat. We hypothesize that debridement of epidural fat and/or subsequent loss of MSCs within this tissue, disrupts homeostasis in the vertebral environment resulting in increased inflammation, fibrosis, and decreased neovascularization leading to poorer functional outcomes post‐injury/operatively. Clinically, epidural fat is commonly considered a space‐filling tissue with limited functionality and therefore typically discarded during surgery. However, the presence of MSCs within epidural fat suggests that itis more biologically active than historically believed and may contribute to the regulation of homeostasis and regeneration in the dural environment. While the current literature supports our hypothesis, it will require additional experimentation to determine if epidural fat is an endogenous driver of repair and regeneration and if so, this tissue should be minimally perturbed from its original location in the spinal canal. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/MIol_IWK1os
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