OUTCOME AFTER SPONTANEOUS SPINAL EPIDURAL HEMATOMA IN CHILDREN - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Objective: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is an idiopathi c accumulation of blood in the vertebral epidural space without identi fiable predisposing factors. First reported in 1869, the clinical outc ome in children younger than 18 years old has not been clearly delinea ted. Design: A comprehensive review of the English language literature revealed 26 patients younger than 18 years old with reported clinical outcomes. The 27th case is presented. Results: Complete neurologic re covery occurred in 14 of 27 (52%) patients, partial recovery in 12 of 27 (44%) patients, and death in 1 of 27 (4%) patients. Conclusion: The re is an overall good prognosis for neurologic recovery in children wh o experience SSEH. (C) 1998 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilita tion.