Case of lumbar ligamentum flavum hematoma with epidural hematoma resulting in cauda equina compression.

BACKGROUND

Lumbar ligamentum flavum hematomas (LFHs) are rare. However, when they occur and contribute to epidural cauda equina compression, timely surgical intervention is frequently warranted.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 69-year-old female presented with the left lower extremity sciatica and gait disturbance of 2 weeks' duration that ultimately evolved into a paraparesis/cauda equina syndrome. When the lumbar MRI revealed left-sided L4-L5 epidural compression attributed to a hemorrhage into the hypertrophied ligamentum flavum (HLF), she successfully underwent a bilateral fenestration/decompressive procedure. Pathologically, neovascularization and rupture of the ventral layers of the degenerated and thickened HLF contributed to the LFH.

CONCLUSION

Arterial neovascularization (i.e., arterial feeding vessels from paramuscular/prelaminar lumbar branches) contributed to a left-sided L4-L5 LFH that resulted in epidural cauda equina compression in a 69-year-old female. Following surgical focal fenestration/decompression, the patient's symptoms/signs resolved.