Epidural hematoma treated by aspiration after transforaminal epidural steroid injection - A case report -

BACKGROUND: Spinal epidural hematoma is rare condition that can rapidly develop into severe neurologic deficits. The pathophysiology of this development remains unclear. There are several case reports of emergency hematoma evacuations after epidural steroid injection. CASE: We report on two patients who developed acute, large amounts of epidural hematoma without neurological deficits after transforaminal epidural steroid injection. After fluoroscopy guided aspiration for epidural hematoma was performed, neurological defects did not progress and the hematoma was shown to be absorbed on magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSIONS: These reports are believed to be the first of treating epidural hematoma occurring after transforaminal epidural steroid injection through non-surgical hematoma aspiration. If large amounts of epidural hematoma are not causing neurological issues, it can be aspirated until it is absorbed.