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Acute Epidural Spinal Hemorrhage from Vasculitis: Resolution with Immunosuppression

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Abstract

Background

Angiographic vasculitis affecting the spine has been rarely described. The use of immunosuppression as a primary treatment and a review of the literature is presented.

Methods

Case report.

Results

A 61-year-old female presented with sudden onset back pain and headache. The patient was found to have acute spinal epidural hemorrhage and subsequent work-up demonstrated angiographic spinal vasculitis. Immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide resulted in clinical and radiographic improvement.

Conclusions

Immunomodulating therapy should be considered in the management of select patients with spinal vasculitis which may lead to improved clinical outcome and potentially disease resolution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Jeffrey T. Jacob, Shota Tanaka & Giuseppe Lanzino

  2. Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA

    Eelco F. Wijdicks

  3. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA

    Christopher P. Wood

Authors
  1. Jeffrey T. Jacob
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  2. Shota Tanaka
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  3. Christopher P. Wood
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  4. Eelco F. Wijdicks
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  5. Giuseppe Lanzino
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeffrey T. Jacob.

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Jacob, J.T., Tanaka, S., Wood, C.P. et al. Acute Epidural Spinal Hemorrhage from Vasculitis: Resolution with Immunosuppression. Neurocrit Care 16, 311–315 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-011-9667-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-011-9667-8

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