Spinal epidural varices

No Shinkei Geka. 1999 Oct;27(10):911-3.

Abstract

A 16-year-old male experienced a sudden attack of back pain while walking through the corridor of school which required emergent hospitalization. Except for the back pain, no neurological symptoms were noted. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging indicated an angiopathy-like flow void in the epidural region at Th 3-5 which seemed to explain the patient's back pain. Thoracic laminectomy at Th 3-5 and resection of the affected site were performed. Pathologically, the resected lesion only had a dilated normal vein and no findings indicating vascular deformity. The patient's outcome was good and no relapse of pain has occurred for about 2 years since the operation. Although some authors have reported vascular deformity with spinal epidural hemorrhage or varices with lumbar hernia of the intervertebral disc, there is no report concerning spinal epidural varices with pain only. The present case seemed to be a rare event and is reported here.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Epidural Space / blood supply*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Varicose Veins / diagnosis
  • Varicose Veins / pathology
  • Varicose Veins / surgery*
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / methods