TRAUMATIC SPINAL SUBARACHNOID HEMATOMA - REPORT OF A CASE WITH MRI

BACKGROUND Spinal subarachnoid hematoma (SAH) is uncommon following tr aumatic injury to the spine. There are few case reports of neurologic deficit secondary to traumatic spinal SAH. CASE DESCRIPTION This 6-yea r-old boy was injured in a vehicular accident from which he became par aplegic and presented to us I week later. Plain X rays were normal and a myelo-computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated an irregular intra dural lesion from D10-L2. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveale d an SAH at D11-12 level, posterior to the cord, which was surgically evacuated. The patient did not improve neurologically. CONCLUSION Sign ificant cord injury and neurologic deficit can occur without obvious a bnormalities on plain X rays or CT scan. MRI is very useful in detecti ng these lesions and can help in their management. (C) 1997 by Elsevie r Science Inc.