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Child's Nervous System
Published in: Child's Nervous System 10/2013

01-10-2013 | Case-Based Update

Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma mimicking meningitis in a 2-year-old child—a case report and literature review

Authors: D. B. Jumani, R. Littlewood, A. Iyer, G. Fellows, A. Healey, L. Abernethy, S. Spinty, R. Sarginson, B. Pettorini

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 10/2013

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Abstract

Introduction

We report the case of a 2-year-old boy with suspected meningitis who presented with acute onset neck pain and stiffness associated with right-sided weakness and ataxia.

Management

Despite intravenous antibiotics and antiviral treatment, his condition deteriorated. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated spontaneous cervical epidural haematoma (C4–C7) extending down to thoracic (T7) level with associated compression of the spinal cord. He was treated successfully by neurosurgical decompression and made a complete recovery.

Discussion

Spinal epidural haematoma is a neurosurgical emergency characterised by extravasation of blood in the spinal epidural space. The clinical presentation particularly in young children can masquerade other conditions such as meningitis. In this article, we discuss our case and review the literature on spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma with an aim to improve awareness of this condition which if not recognised and treated early can lead to significant lifelong morbidity.
Literature
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Blount J, Doughty K, Tubbs RS, Wellons JC, Reddy A, Law C, Karle V, Oakes WJ (2004) In utero spontaneous cervical thoracic epidural hematoma imitating spinal cord birth injury. Paediatr Neurosurg 40:23–27CrossRef
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Cakir E, Karaarslan G, Usul H, Baykal S, Kuzeyli K, Mungan I, Yazar U, Peksoylu B, Aynaci M, Çakir F (2004) Clinical course of spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma mimicking Guillain Barre syndrome in a child: case report and literature review. Developmental medicine and child neurology December 46(12):838–842CrossRef
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Fok WM, Sun LK, Wong NM, Lau PY, Cheung HM (2007) Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma in a 15-month-old boy presenting with a wry neck: a case report. J Orthop Surg 15(3):373–375
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Metadata
Title
Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma mimicking meningitis in a 2-year-old child—a case report and literature review
Authors
D. B. Jumani
R. Littlewood
A. Iyer
G. Fellows
A. Healey
L. Abernethy
S. Spinty
R. Sarginson
B. Pettorini
Publication date
01-10-2013
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 10/2013
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-013-2130-8

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