Symptoms of EPIDURAL HEMATOMA OF THE SPINE

The development of an epidural hematoma in the spine is likely to cause local pain and muscle spasms. As the hematoma enlarges, it may produce weakness, numbness and tingling in those regions of the body supplied by that segment of the spinal cord or cauda equina. There may be difficulties with gait and problems with urinating and constipation. If the hemorrhage occurs high in the cervical spine, those muscles necessary for respiration may also be affected leading to shortness of breath. In conditions where the clotting system is not functioning normally, there may be bruising or bleeding in other areas.