Chronic Spontaneous Epidural Hematoma of the Lumbar Spine as Cause of Radiculopathy

An uncommon case of chronic spinal lumbar epidural hematoma mimicking disc herniation is reported. The 28 years old patient complained of recurrent low back pain and left side sciatica for 6 months. The lumbar CT and MRI showed a well circumscribed, enhanced epidural mass, which is located in ventral portion of left S1 nerve root area. The partial L5 hemilaminectomy was performed and the mass was totally removed. The histological examination demonstrated that the tissue was consisted of thick fibrous tissue with degenerated hemorrhagic material, consistent with hemorrhagic bouts. No evidence of vascular malformation was found. The patient was relieved from the sciatica immediately after decompressive surgery, but left thigh numbness was still remained slightly.ope