DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2021.v09i04.018

Pages: 367-369

Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma is defined as a bloody effusion in the epidural space occurring outside of any traumatic context. It is a rare but serious condition whose etiopathogeny is not always clear. The typical symptomatology is suggestive. Any suspicion of epidural haematoma should motivate an urgent diagnostic and therapeutic approach because the functional and sometimes vital prognosis is at stake. This is a case of rapidly progressive tetraparesis in a 22 year old woman, pregnant at 32 weeks' gestation with no notion of spinal trauma and no particular history. The medical imaging by angiography and MRI had made it possible to eliminate a vascular malformation and to make the diagnosis. The patient underwent emergency surgery and the postoperative course was simple. Symptomatic cervical epidural haematomas must be diagnosed early in order to consider appropriate treatment. The patient's functional and even vital prognosis will depend on this treatment.