This case report confirms the link between familial cutaneous haemangiomas and haemangiomas of the spinal extradural space. Haemorrhage from a cervical extradural haemangioma may cause a haematoma resulting in an anterior cord syndrome. Recovery is possible with early diagnosis and surgical decompression at the involved level. If the diagnosis is not made the patient may die from this extradural cervical compression. Diagnosis involves myelography with spinal angiography to confirm the site and extent of both haemangioma and extradural haematoma.