{"id":"21373fe5-ae90-43fe-b794-32d0ca27f155","slug":"conservative-management-of-a-cervical-ligamentum-flavum-hematoma-case-report","title":"Conservative management of a cervical ligamentum flavum hematoma: Case report","authors":["Hanna Algattas","Kristopher T. Kimmell","Anthony L. Petraglia","Paul K. Maurer"],"abstract":"Background: Spontaneous epidural hematoma arising from the ligamentum flavum is a rare cause of acute spinal cord compression. There are only four reports in the cervical spine literature, and all were managed with surgery. Here, we describe an acute case of a spontaneous epidural hematoma arising from the ligamentum flavum in the cervical spine successfully managed without surgery. Case Description: A 69-year-old woman with a cervical spine epidural hematoma contained within the ligamentum flavum presented with paroxysmal neck pain and stiffness without a history of trauma. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a posterolateral epidural hematoma contained within the ligamentum flavum. As the patient was intact, she was managed conservatively with cervical orthosis. Three months later, she was symptom-free, and the hematoma resolved on the follow-up MRI study. Conclusion: Spontaneous epidural hematoma arising from ligamentum flavum is a rare cause of spinal cord compression. Previous reports have described success with surgical decompression. However, initial observation and conservative management may be successful as illustrated in this case.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/21373fe5-ae90-43fe-b794-32d0ca27f155/featured/hero-1782420831969.png","publishDate":"2016-01-25T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.174887","categories":["Spine","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"http://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/6451/SNI-7-61.pdf"}