Inverted Mercedes Benz Sign in Lumbar Spinal Subdural Hematoma

Spontaneous epidural and subdural hematomas of the spine: Review of anatomy and imaging findings

Spontaneous epidural (SEH) and subdural hematomas (SSH) of the spine are a rare cause of spinal injury and morbidity. They often present in the emergency setting, though magnetic resonance imaging is the gold-standard for diagnosis. Knowledge of anatomy, and in particular of the dural layers of the spine, is crucial to understand the location of SEH and SSH and their relationship with spinal structure. In this pictorial review, we aim to explain imaging features of the SEH and SSH, and to rule out their main differential diagnosis.

Pain in the back after a brain trauma-The revelation of a spinal subdural hematoma: A case report with a literature review

Traumatic spinal subdural hematoma is a rare condition mostly favored by an anticoagulation therapy, a traumatic lumbar puncture, a hematologic disease, or an epidural anesthesia. This pathological condition can be subtle or be at the origin of a compression of the spinal cord and the rootlets resulting in an irreversible damage if an emergent surgery is not performed. We report the case of a 45-year-old man who has been a victim of a brain trauma which resulted in a cerebral edema. A week later, the patient came to the emergency department for disabling abdominal pain, predominant in the back. An abdominal computed tomography was performed and showed an incidentally spontaneous hyperdensity in the spinal cord, which raised the suspicion of a spinal hematoma that has been confirmed through spine magnetic resonance imaging. In this case, we discuss the different subtypes of spinal hematoma. We recall the main differential diagnoses to help setting an accurate diagnosis and to not delay the adequate therapy that is most of the time emergent when indicated.

Lumbosacral subdural hematoma associated with cranial subdural hematoma and craniocerebral surgery: Three cases and a systemic literature review

OBJECTIVE

The authors aim to focus on lumbosacral subdural hematoma (SDH) associated with cranial subdural hematoma and craniocerebral surgery, which has been rarely reported.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

They present 3 cases of lumbosacral SDH, including 2 associated with cranial chronic SDH and 1 following craniotomy for neck clipping of cerebral aneurysm. Using a PubMed search, they also provide a systemic literature review to summarize pathogenesis, treatment and outcome.

RESULTS

All cases presented with bilateral radiating leg pain, and recovered completely by conservative managements. Predisposing factors were trauma, anticoagulant therapy and brain atrophy. Literature review revealed 54 such cases, in which 28 cases associated with cranial SDH and 26 cases associated with craniocerebral surgery. In both group, main symptoms were low back and radiating leg pain, and sensorimotor deficits. Regardless of treatments, conservatively or surgically, outcome was favorable. Migration of cranial hematoma is most supported pathogenesis, while intracranial hypotension due to cerebrospinal fluid overdrainage procedures may also be a contributing factor for cases associated with craniocerebral surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Lumbosacral SDH should be considered in patients present with unexpected low back and radiating leg pains associated with cranial SDH and craniocerebral surgery. Conservative treatment would be reasonable for cases with mild symptoms as the first treatment of choice.

Spinal subdural abscess following repeat lumbar microdiscectomy: A case report of imaging findings for a rare infection

Spinal subdural abscess is a rare central nervous system infection with just over a hundred cases reported. It is much less common than spinal epidural abscess. While most case reports have focused on route of infection and treatment options, there have not been any reports that focused on the unique MRI findings of spinal subdural abscess. We describe a case of spinal subdural abscess diagnosed by MRI in a 33-year-old male who presented with headaches after undergoing a microdiscectomy procedure, and review the underlying anatomic features of the spinal meninges which produce the appearance of a spinal subdural abscess.

Vascular Diseases of the Spinal Cord: Infarction, Hemorrhage, and Venous Congestive Myelopathy

Vascular pathologies of the spinal cord are rare and often overlooked. This article presents clinical and imaging approaches to the diagnosis and management of spinal vascular conditions most commonly encountered in clinical practice. Ischemia, infarction, hemorrhage, aneurysms, and vascular malformations of the spine and spinal cord are discussed. Pathophysiologic mechanisms, clinical classification schemes, clinical presentations, imaging findings, and treatment modalities are considered. Recent advances in genetic and syndromic vascular pathologies of the spinal cord are also discussed. Clinically relevant spinal vascular anatomy is reviewed in detail.

Spinal Subdural Haematoma

INTRODUCTION

Spinal Subdural hematoma is a rare cause of radiculopathy and spinal cord compression syndromes. It's early diagnosis is essential. Chronological appearance of these bleeds vary on MRI.

CASE REPORT

A 56 year old man presented with progressive left lower limb radiculopathy and paraesthesias with claudication of three days duration. MRI revealed a subdural space occupying lesion compressing the cauda equina at L5-S1 level producing a 'Y' shaped dural sac (Y sign), which was hyperintense on T1W imaging and hypointense to cord on T2W image. The STIR sequence showed hyperintensity to cord. There was no history of bleeding diathesis. The patient underwent decompressive durotomy and biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Spinal subdural hematoma may present with rapidly progressive neurological symptoms. MRI is the investigation of choice. The knowledge of MRI appearance with respect to the chronological stage of the bleed is essential to avoid diagnostic and hence surgical dilemma.