Vascular anatomy of the spinal epidural space: Considerations on the etiology of the spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma

The anatomy of the blood vessels in the spinal epidural space is an important
basis for the understanding of the etiology of the spontaneous spinal epidural
hemorrhage (SSEH). The structure of the internal vertebral venous plexus and
epidural arteries, in particular the poorly recognised “cluster-type’’ arteries,
has been studied. The cluster arteries are easily mistaken for vascular anomalies.
The literature is reviewed, and the different theories on the etiology of the
SSEH are discussed.