Cardiomegaly as a Causative Factor in Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma (SSEH): A Case Report

Many underlying medical conditions can lead to spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma, including coagulopathy, vascular malformation, neoplasm, infection, and minor vertebral trauma. In this study, we suggest cardiomegaly as a causative factor for spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. Cardiomegaly was the only abnormality detected in the case described in this study. Cardiomegaly is defined as a cardiothoracic ratio >0.5. Cardiomegaly can both cause and result from cardiac functional deceleration and can lead to decreased venous return, engorgement of peripheral veins, and congestion of blood in muscle and other soft tissue.