Spinal Spot Sign.

INTRODUCTION

A marker predictive of hematoma expansion in the central nervous system could aid the selection of patients for hemostatic or surgical treatment.

CASE REPORT: Here, we present a 83-year-old patient with acute spinal subdural hematoma with paraparesis progressing to paraplegia. A contrast extravasation within the intraspinal hematoma was visualized on spinal MR indicating active bleeding (spinal spot sign). A second acquisition of contrast-enhanced MR images showed progression of contrast extravasation helping to different active bleeding from spinal arteriovenous malformations/fistula.

CONCLUSIONS

A "spinal spot sign" may be important for treatment decisions, notably in patients with incomplete neurological deficits at the time of imaging.