Chronic spinal subdural haematoma.

Chronic spinal subdural haematomas are uncommon. This is the report of a 62-year-old hypertensive and diabetic white female, with progressing paraparesis and sensory loss in the lower limbs for six months. There was no history of trauma to the spine. Ascending myelography disclosed a complete block at the first lumbar vertebra. At operation, a characteristic chronic subdural haematoma was found and removed. Postoperative course was uneventful, and nine months after surgery she was asymptomatic. Spontaneous chronic subdural haematoma, although rare, should be considered in the diagnosis of spinal cord compression. Surgical treatment may lead to complete recovery of the neurological deficit.