Spinal Cord Hemorrhage

What is Spinal Cord Hemorrhage?
 Spinal cord hemorrhage is a rare vascular condition that is characterized by spontaneous bleeding into the spinal cord. The etiology of spinal cord hemorrhage varies by location, but is most often attributed to traumatic injury, but can also be caused by vascular malformations and coagulation disorders.

The classification of spinal cord hemorrhage is based on the location:

  • Intramedullary (hematomyelia)
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Subdural hemorrhage
  • Epidural hemorrhage

Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Cord Hemorrhage

The presentation of spinal cord hemorrhage is influenced by what compartment and level the bleed is in.

  • Acute or subacute onset of symptoms
  • Sudden, severe back or neck pain usually located at the level of the bleed.
  • Pain radiating to the limbs
  • Progressive exacerbation of neurological symptoms, such as weakness, loss of sensory or motor function, quadriplegia, paraplegia, bladder or bowel dysfunction
  • Meningeal signs

Source: Shaban et al. (2018). Spinal Cord Hemorrhage. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 27(6), 1435–1446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2018.02.014