Early Diagnosis of Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma with Echo-Planar Gradient-Echo T2*-Weighted MR Imaging

Koichi Iwatsuki^1*, Toshiki Yoshimine¹, Yu-Ichiro Ohnishi¹, Koshi Ninomiya¹, Toshika Ohkawa¹, Kousuke Iwaisako²

¹Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan.
²Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoritu Hospital, Hyogo, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/nm.2015.61004                

Abstract

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a rare idiopathic condition that leads to the acute onset of neurological deficits, which can have catastrophic consequences if not recognized early. It is important to make an early precise diagnosis. Spinal epidural hematoma has been increasingly recognized since the advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, T1- and T2-weighted gradient-echo sequences are relatively less sensitive to the magnetic susceptibility effects of hemorrhage. Echo-planar gradient-echo T2*-weighted MR imaging (T2* MRI) is sensitive to these magnetic susceptibility effects and is commonly used for the detection of hemorrhage. We reported that the case of a 76-year-old man who presented with tetra paresis had an early diagnosis of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma early diagnosed by T2* MRI.

Keywords

Spinal Epidural Hematoma, T2* MRI, Diagnosis, Hemorrhage

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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