Scurvy with non-traumatic epidural hematoma: a case report
2022 Volume 47 Issue 3 Pages 309-313
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2022 Volume 47 Issue 3 Pages 309-313
Scurvy due to Vit.C deficiency was widely prevalent in the world during the Age of Discovery. It reduces strength of vessel wall and causes bleeding. Nowadays, it is a rare and uncommon disease. We present a case of epidural hematoma associated with scurvy.
A 4-year-old girl admitted to our hospital with symptoms of difficulty in walking, leg pain, and bleeding from the swelled gums lasting 2.5 months. The blood cell count, hemogram and coagulation factors in laboratory data were normal. She had a headache without obvious trauma. CT scanning revealed an epidural hematoma in the right frontal region. A removal of epidural hematoma with hemostasis was performed. Re-bleeding did not occur after surgery, but the anemia was progressed. Other symptoms had also gotten worse. An interview about her daily meal revealed she was extremely picky eater. As the serum Vit.C concentration was quite low, she was finally diagnosed with scurvy. After starting oral administration of Vit.C, her symptoms quickly improved.
In modern times, it is extremely rare to experience nutritional disorders in developed country. However, mal-nutrition can be occur due to some reason like this case. Intracranial hemorrhage without history of underlying disease or trauma and accompanied with multi-organ findings may be caused by nutritional disorders.
