CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF ACUTE SPONTANEOUS SPINAL EPIDURAL HEMATOMA

Background: In cases of acute spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma pro ducing neurological deficits, emergency surgical evacuation is the sta ndard treatment. Methods: Such a case is presented in which complete r esolution of neurological deficits occurred without surgical intervent ion. Results: This is the fifth reported case of complete recovery in a patient managed conservatively. In most reports, significant and sus tained neurological recovery had occurred within 12 hours of impairmen t of walking. Conclusion: In cases of acute spontaneous spinal epidura l hematoma in which neurological deterioration is followed by early an d sustained recovery, non-operative therapy may be considered.