Objective       To summarize the etiology

clinical characteristics

treatment protocol and prognosis of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) in children.  Methods      Clinical data of 8 SSEH children collected at our department during 2008 and 2014 were retrospectively studied. Six cases of elder children had initial symptom of neck and back pain. One infant showed limited neck movement which might progress to nerve dysfunction within a few hours or days

and another infant had limb weakness. The time from onset to surgery was 1 to 15 d. All cases underwent surgical removal of spinal epidural hematoma. Results      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the hematomas were located at the dorsal spine of cervicothoracic region

involving 4 to 9 vertebrae. Complete and partial neurological recovery were found in 5 and 3 patients

respectively. Two patients were recovered and 1 patient had no change. 3 cases were caused by vascular malformation. Conclusion       Early diagnosis of SSEH in children mainly relies on clinical characteristics and MRI examination. Urgent removal of hematoma after rapid diagnosis is the key to achieve better prognosis of children with SSEH.