Uncommon magnetic resonance imaging observation of lumbar subdural hematoma with cranial origin

• Published in: Journal of computer assisted tomography Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 530 - 533
• Main Authors: LECOUVET, Frédéric E, ANNET, Laurence, DUPREZ, Thierry P, COSNARD, Guy, SCORDIDIS, Victor, MALGHEM, Jacques
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott 01-07-2003
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cerebral Hemorrhage - complications; Diagnosis, Differential; Hematoma, Subdural - etiology; Hematoma, Subdural - pathology; Humans; Lumbosacral Region - pathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Muscle Weakness - etiology; Pain - etiology; Paresthesia - etiology; lumbar spine; magnetic resonance imaging; subdural hematoma; compression; cauda equina
• ISSN: 0363-8715; 1532-3145
• DOI: 10.1097/00004728-200307000-00013

A patient with a history of pain, paresthesias, and weakness in both legs is reported. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine demonstrated subacute subdural hematoma. Brain MRI obtained 1 day later because of progressive headache showed hemorrhagic cortical metastasis and extensive subdural hematoma. It is hypothesized that the lumbar hematoma originated from the intracranial bleeding, which was substantiated by the observation of a thin hemorrhagic collection connecting cranial and lumbar hematomas on MRI. Cranial origin should be included in the differential diagnosis of spontaneous spinal subdural hematomas.