Abstract：Objective: To investigate the MRI findings and differential diagnosis of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. Methods: There were 9 cases of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. Four were male and 5 were female. All cases did not have history of trauma. The routine SE T1WI and T2WI sagittal and transversal planes were performed with MRI scanner. Seven cases were examined by enhanced MRI. Results: The hematomas located at the dorsum of spinal canal in 8 cases and at the ventral side of spinal canal in 1 case. The hematomas covered 3 to 5 vertebral bodies with average of 4 vertebral segments. There were 4 cases at cervical segment, 4 cases at cervicothoracic segment, 1 case at lumbar segment. The hematomas had crescent or long ribbon shape. Hematomas in 3 cases were of homogeneous high signal on T1WI and T2WI, 4 cases were of medium signal on T1WI and high signal on T2WI. Two cases had heterogeneous high signal both on T1WI and T2WI. There was a low signal septum between spinal cord and henatoma on T1WI and T2WI, especially clear on T2WI. The wall of hematoma was enhanced in 3 cases on MRI enhancement scan. Conclusion: MRI is the best method in diagnosing spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. It not only can show clearly the location and the extent of hematoma clearly, but also the age of hematoma and injury of the spinal cord.
2006, Vol. 17 
