{{Infobox medical condition (new) | name = Spinal epidural hematoma | synonyms = | image = | width = | alt = | caption = | pronounce = | field = neurology | symptoms = | complications = | onset = | duration = | types = | causes = | risks = | diagnosis = | differential = | prevention = | treatment = | medication = | prognosis = | frequency = | deaths = }} <!-- Definition and symptoms -->
'''Spinal extradural haematoma''' or '''spinal epidural hematoma''' ('''SEH''') is bleeding into the [[epidural space]] in the spine. These may arise spontaneously (e.g. during childbirth), or as a rare complication of [[Epidural administration|epidural anaesthesia]] or of surgery (such as [[laminectomy]]).{{citation needed|date=December 2016}} Symptoms usually include [[back pain]] which radiates to the arms or the legs.<ref name="Al2010">{{cite journal|last1=Al-Mutair|first1=A|last2=Bednar|first2=DA|title=Spinal epidural hematoma.|journal=The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons|date=August 2010|volume=18|issue=8|pages=494–502|pmid=20675642|doi=10.5435/00124635-201008000-00006}}</ref> They may cause pressure on the [[spinal cord]] or [[cauda equina]], which may present as pain, [[muscle weakness]], or dysfunction of the bladder and bowel. ==Pathophysiology== The anatomy of the epidural space is such that spinal epidural hematoma has a different presentation from intracranial epidural hematoma. In the spine, the epidural space contains loose fatty tissue and a network of large, thin-walled veins, referred to as the epidural venous plexus. The source of bleeding in spinal epidural hematoma is likely to be this venous plexus.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}
==Diagnosis== The best way to confirm the diagnosis is [[MRI]].<ref name=Al2010/> Risk factors include anatomical abnormalities and [[coagulopathy|bleeding disorders]].
==Treatment== Treatment is generally with emergency surgery.<ref name=Al2010/> The risk following epidural anaesthesia is difficult to quantify; estimates vary from 1 per 10,000 to 1 per 100,000 epidural anaesthetics.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
[[Category:Spinal cord disorders]]