Acute spontaneous thoracic epidural hematoma associated with intraspinal lymphangioma

BACKGROUND Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare neurosurgical emergency. CASE SUMMARY A 53-year-old healthy woman suffered from complete paraplegia in both legs and loss of all sensation below the xiphoid process. She was diagnosed as acute spontaneous thoracic epidural hematoma caused by an intraspinal lymphangioma. The primary lab survey showed all within normal limits. Presence of a posteriorly epidural space-occupying lesion at the T4-T8 level of the spinal canal was confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging. A decompressive laminectomy was performed from the T4 to T7 levels at the sixth hour following abrupt onset of complete paraplegia. The lesion was confirmed as lymphangioma. This patient recovered well within one month. CONCLUSION This study reports a case of acute spontaneous thoracic epidural hematoma caused by an intraspinal lymphangioma with well recovery after surgical intervention.