Effective Steroid Treatment in Traumatic Cervical Spinal Epidural Hematoma Presenting with Delayed Tetraparesis: two cases report and literature review.

Effective Steroid Treatment in Traumatic Cervical Spinal Epidural Hematoma Presenting with Delayed Tetraparesis: two cases report and literature review.

World Neurosurg. 2016 Apr 20;

Authors: Lin TC, Liu ZH, Bowes AL, Lee ST, Tu PH

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Traumatic spinal epidural hematoma (TSEH) is a rare neurosurgical condition that according to conventional treatment requires prompt surgical decompression. However, recent reports suggest that conservative management within the acute phase post-trauma can also lead to similar long-term functional outcomes without the need for immediate neurosurgical intervention.
CASE DESCRIPTION: In the present paper, we describe 2 cases of TSEH located in the ventral upper cervical spine, which presented with delayed neurological deficits. In both cases, conservative management with steroid treatment was initiated prior to neurosurgical decompression, resulting in improved neurological outcomes.
CONCLUSION: Urgent surgical decompression may not be necessary acutely in TSEH if patients respond well to conservative therapy. Though there is currently no consensus for the initial management strategies, steroid treatment could individually tailored and applied according to the clinical condition and evolving symptoms.

PMID: 27108025 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1SHAqhk
via IFTTT