Parashar VS, Aswal P, Gupta TK, Jaiswal G. Spontaneous Spinal Intramedullary Hematoma in an Infant: A Rare Entity and a Diagnostic Challenge.
J Pediatr Neurosci 2021;
16:61-64. [PMID:
34316311 PMCID:
PMC8276950 DOI:
10.4103/jpn.jpn_170_18]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Spontaneous spinal intramedullary hematoma is a rare cause of acute paraplegia in adults and is extremely uncommon in children. Very few cases with no apparent etiology (such as trauma, vascular lesions) have been reported in adults. We did not find any apparent cause for the hematoma in our patient and to the best of our knowledge, this is first case reported in infants.
Case Report
We present the case of a 6-month-old female child admitted with acute-onset paraplegia, bladder bowel involvement, and no history of trauma or bleeding diathesis. The MRI showed an intramedullary mass extending from the D11-L1 level. The mass was excised and histopathology revealed it to be an organizing hematoma.
Conclusion
Our case highlights that though it is a rare entity, there is a need for more awareness when dealing with children with sudden paraplegia, acute retention of urine, or neurological deficit. Early diagnosis and prompt surgery are crucial to achieve the best neurological outcome.
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