Spinal subdural hematoma: A report of 3 cases related to antiplatelet agent use and traumatic compression fracture

Abstract

Spinal subdural hematoma is a rare condition presenting with symptoms of back pain and neurologic deficits. The etiology is largely idiopathic, followed by anti–coagulant use and vascular malformation. Traumatic subdural hematomas associated with compression fractures are rare, with only a few old case reports. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for the diagnosis of spinal subdural hematoma. Treatment is surgical decompression when neurologic deficits exist; however, conservative management is a good option in patients without neurologic symptoms with reported spontaneous hematoma regression. Herein, we report 3 cases of spinal subdural hematoma, 2 spontaneous cases related to anti–platelet agent use and 1 with acute traumatic compression fracture. T1-weighted fat-saturated images clearly showed the hematoma and increased the confidence level of the diagnosis. In summary, we suggest that magnetic resonance imaging can clearly visualize the spinal subdural hematoma and is excellent for diagnosis and follow up. Anti–platelet agent use and compression fracture are probable etiologies of spinal subdural hematoma.