Epidural hematoma MRI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohamadmostafa Jahansouz M.D.[2]

Overview

MRI is the preferred imaging study for diagnosis of spinal epidural hematoma. In patients with spinal epidural hematoma findings on MRI suggestive of spinal epidural hematoma include: A variable signal intensity( Isointensity to cord in T1-weighted images and Hyperintensity with areas of hypointensity in T2-weighted images), capping of epidural fat, direct continuity with the adjacent osseous structures and compression of epidural fat, subarachnoid sac, and spinal cord. MRI is sensitive for diagnosis of intracranial epidural hematoma but it is rarely used for diagnosis of it because of its limited availability and because more time is needed to prepare the patients for MRI.

MRI

MRI is the preferred imaging study for diagnosis of spinal epidural hematoma.^[1]^[2]

In patients with spinal epidural hematoma findings on MRI suggestive of spinal epidural hematoma include:^[1]^[2]
- A variable signal intensity:
  - Isointensity to cord in T1-weighted images
  - Hyperintensity with areas of hypointensity in T2-weighted images
- Capping of epidural fat
- Direct continuity with the adjacent osseous structures
- Compression of epidural fat, subarachnoid sac, and spinal cord

MRI is sensitive for diagnosis of intracranial epidural hematoma but it is rarely used for diagnosis of it because of its limited availability and because more time is needed to prepare the patients for MRI.^[3]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Sklar EM, Post JM, Falcone S (1999). “MRI of acute spinal epidural hematomas”. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 23 (2): 238–43. PMID 10096331.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Braun P, Kazmi K, Nogués-Meléndez P, Mas-Estellés F, Aparici-Robles F (2007). “MRI findings in spinal subdural and epidural hematomas”. Eur J Radiol. 64 (1): 119–25. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2007.02.014. PMID 17353109.
↑ Manolakaki D, Velmahos GC, Spaniolas K, de Moya M, Alam HB (2009). “Early magnetic resonance imaging is unnecessary in patients with traumatic brain injury”. J Trauma. 66 (4): 1008–12, discussion 1012-4. doi:10.1097/TA.0b013e31819adba2. PMID 19359907.

Template:WH Template:WS

[pmid10096331-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Sklar EM, Post JM, Falcone S (1999). “MRI of acute spinal epidural hematomas”. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 23 (2): 238–43. PMID 10096331.

[pmid17353109-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Braun P, Kazmi K, Nogués-Meléndez P, Mas-Estellés F, Aparici-Robles F (2007). “MRI findings in spinal subdural and epidural hematomas”. Eur J Radiol. 64 (1): 119–25. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2007.02.014. PMID 17353109.

[pmid19359907-3] Manolakaki D, Velmahos GC, Spaniolas K, de Moya M, Alam HB (2009). “Early magnetic resonance imaging is unnecessary in patients with traumatic brain injury”. J Trauma. 66 (4): 1008–12, discussion 1012-4. doi:10.1097/TA.0b013e31819adba2. PMID 19359907.

[1]

[2]

[3]

Epidural hematoma MRI

Overview

MRI

References

Looking for the patient version?