A case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma with stroke symptoms

Abstract

Objective: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) can present with symptoms resembling stroke, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. In this case report, we aim to present a patient with SSEH whose clinical findings mimicked those of ischemic stroke.

Case Presentation: A 78-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with sudden weakness in her left arm and leg. Motor examination revealed a strength value of 3-4/5 in the left upper and lower extremities. Brain computed tomography (CT) and brain diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no acute neurological pathology. However, cervical MRI revealed heterogeneous signal areas in the extradural region posterior to the C3-C5 level. Further evaluation with cervical spinal CT identified an epidural hematoma. The patient was referred to neurosurgery, and surgical intervention was planned. Following surgery, the patient's motor strength was assessed as 2-3/5 in the upper and lower extremities.

Conclusions:  SSEH can occur in patients with multiple risk factors, although significant risk factors were not identified in our case. Paraparesis and tetraparesis are more commonly observed presentations of SSEH than hemiparesis. In our case, hemiparesis was an initial finding that resembled stroke symptoms. SSEH most frequently occurs at the C6 and T12 vertebral levels, making the location of our patient's lesion between the C3-C5 vertebrae even rarer. In summary, SSEH may rarely present with symptoms mimicking stroke, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis to avoid mismanagement.