Preoperative neurological status in predicting surgical outcome of spinal epidural hematomas

Surg Neurol. 1981 May;15(5):389-401. doi: 10.1016/0090-3019(81)90178-6.

Abstract

The postoperative progress of 3 patients with spinal epidural hemorrhage, but without spinal fracture or dislocation, is presented. From the literature, 158 cases were collected of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma treated surgically. Postoperative return of motor function was noted in 95.3%, 87%, and 45.3% of the patients with incomplete sensorimotor, incomplete sensory but complete motor, and complete sensorimotor lesions, respectively. Complete sensorimotor recovery occurred in 41.9%, 26.1%, and 11.3% of these 3 groups of patients, respectively. Recovery following surgical treatment depends on the severity of neurological deficits before treatment. However, the absence of motor or sensorimotor functions preoperatively does not necessarily indicate a poor prognosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / classification
  • Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / physiopathology*
  • Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Preoperative Care
  • Psychomotor Performance*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / classification
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome