Spinal epidural hematoma.

Three cases of spinal epidural hematoma are reported, one lumbar, another cervical, and the third thoracic. All were dorsolaterally localized, the first and the third were dependent on anticoagulant therapy, and the second was spontaneous. In addition to the symptoms of sudden onset, acute spinal pain, flaccid paralysis, and loss of sphincter control, the second case had the exceptional picture of a cervical anterior spinal cord syndrome with preoperative transient improvement, followed by the development of Brown--Séquard syndrome with subsequent deterioration. This case was diagnosed by means of computed tomography. The postoperative course has been satisfactory in all patients, with complete recovery in two.