Spinal Subdural Hematoma in Association with Anticoagulant Therapy

Abstract

SUMMARYA case of spinal subdural hematoma occurring in association with anticoagulant therapy is reported. Seven similar cases from the literature are reviewed with emphasis on the clinical features, investigation, and the results of treatment. The prognosis for recovery is good, only if the condition is diagnosed and the clot evacuated before severe spinal cord compression and subsequent ischemic necrosis has occurred.

Spinal Subdural Haematoma in association with anticoagulant therapy, an unusual presentation: a case report and review of literature

“…The CT scan may be more helpful in compartmentalising the haematoma. Spontaneous onset spinal subdural haematoma in patients with anticoagulation therapy is a neurological emergency therefore early diagnosis, discontinuation of anticoagulant and urgent surgical decompression is recommended to allow neurological recovery[1,2,4,6,7]. …”

“…Spontaneous spinal subdural haematoma as a result of an anticoagulant therapy is a rare cause of spinal cord compression[1]. Subdural haematoma as a result of other causes like haematological disorders, arterio-venous malformation, meningioma and repeated attempts at lumbar punctures has been reported quite often in the literature[2].…”

Chronic Cervicothoracic Spinal Subdural Hematoma -Case Report-

“…9) Spontaneous nontraumatic subdural hematomas are also frequently associated with anticoagulant administration. 9,15) About 60 cases of non-traumatic subdural hematoma have been reported. 12) Spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma is most commonly located in the lower thoracic or thoracolumbar regions.…”

Spontaneous intraspinal subarachnoid haemorrhage occurring during oral anticoagulation therapy

“…There followed a phase at first of slowly progressing neurological deficits so that the patient did not appear to feel threatened enough to seek medical help, a phenomen wel! described in the literature [8,18,23,27].…”