Spinal Epidural Hematoma Etiology
May be caused by traumatic or nontraumatic conditions that include coagulopathy, vascular lesions and iatrogenic or idiopathic causes.
Yamao et al first reported a operative and histological observation of recurrent spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma caused by a posterior venous plexus 1).
Spinal EDH's are believed to originate from the rich venous plexus of the epidural space. The most common area involved is the thoracic spine, where the epidural space is most prominent. The location of this venous plexus perhaps explains the greater number of reported EDH's of the spine compared with subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage. It has been postulated that local pooling within the valveless, thin-walled epidural veins in combination with sudden brief increases in intravenous pressure may be the cause of such bleeds 2) 3).