Encapsulated spinal epidural hematoma in an octogenarian.

An 88-year-old man was found at laminectomy to have an encapsulated spinal epidural hematoma. The surgical result was gratifying and reinforced a recent statement that spinal surgical procedures in the very elderly should not be withheld on the basis of age alone. Moreover, the rarity of this pathology in this age group and the clear identification of the lesion on the computed tomography scan of this case are to be noted.