Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Spinal Epidural Hematoma

• Published in: Orthopedics & Traumatology Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 1555 - 1557
• Main Authors: Hata, Yukihiro, Yone, Kazunori, Sakou, Takashi, Shimono, Tetsuro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: West-Japanese Society of Orthopedics & Traumatology 1993
• Subjects: Change of Signal Intensity; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Spinal Epidural Hematoma
• ISSN: 0037-1033; 1349-4333; 1349-4333
• DOI: 10.5035/nishiseisai.42.1555

Since 1986, we have treated five cases of spinal epidural hematoma, all of which were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Up till 4 days from onset, the hematoma was visualized as iso-intense on the T1-weighted view, although on the T2-weighted view various patterns were seen. Thirteen days after onset the lesion was iso-intense on the T1-weighted view, and of high intensity on the T2-weighted view. Eighty days after onset, the lesion was visualized as highintensity on T1 and T2-weighted views. The signal intensity of spinal epidural hematoma on MRI changes with time according to the metabolism of hemoglobin. We confirm that MRI is a useful examination for spinal epidural hematoma.