Paraplegia caused by intratumoral hemorrhage within thoracic epidural granuloma

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2009 Nov;49(11):539-41. doi: 10.2176/nmc.49.539.

Abstract

An 84-year-old man presented with a rare case of spinal epidural granuloma with intratumoral hematoma resulting in acute paraplegia. He was admitted to our hospital because of lumbago and hematemesis following a fall 10 days before. Progressive paraparesis occurred 2 days after admission. Neurological examination showed paraplegia and hypesthesia below the T10 level. Thoracic radiography revealed some spondylotic changes of the thoracic vertebrae without osteolytic changes. Sagittal T(1)- and T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine demonstrated a hyperintense epidural mass lesion compressing the dorsal portion of the thoracic spinal cord at T10-11 space. Emergency laminectomy was performed, and the epidural encapsulated hematoma and elastic yellowish mass adhered to the dura mater were totally removed. Histological examination of the excised specimens showed a granuloma. Motor weakness improved after surgery, and he could walk with a cane about 3 months after surgery. The minor spinal injury probably caused intratumoral hemorrhage within a previous epidural granuloma, suddenly resulting in the paraplegic symptoms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Decompression, Surgical
  • Dura Mater / pathology
  • Dura Mater / surgery
  • Epidural Abscess / complications
  • Epidural Abscess / pathology*
  • Epidural Space / blood supply
  • Epidural Space / pathology*
  • Epidural Space / physiopathology
  • Granuloma / complications
  • Granuloma / pathology*
  • Granuloma / surgery
  • Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal / complications
  • Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal / pathology*
  • Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Laminectomy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Paraplegia / etiology
  • Recovery of Function / physiology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / pathology*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / physiopathology
  • Spinal Diseases / complications
  • Spinal Diseases / pathology*
  • Spinal Diseases / surgery
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / pathology
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome