Abstract

Two cases of vertebral haemangiomas are reported which presented as spinal cord syndromes during pregnancy. Eleven additional cases of epidural haemangiomas in the literature which became symptomatic during pregnancy are reviewed. In 11 out of 13 cases symptoms presented during the third trimester of pregnancy and in all but two cases the epidural lesions were in the upper six thoracic vertebrae. These features can be explained by the effect of the gravid uterus on the relatively sparse vascular supply of the upper thoracic spinal cord.