The Comarr Memorial Award for Distinguished Clinical Service: The Legacy of A. Estin Comarr,MD

Abstract

Background

Subfascial wound suction drains are commonly used after spinal surgery to decrease the incidence of post-operative hematoma. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding their effectiveness.

Objective

To report four cases of post-operative spinal epidural hematoma causing massive neurological deficit in patients who had subfascial suction wound drains.

Methods

During an 8-year period, a retrospective review of 1750 consecutive adult spinal surgery cases was performed to determine the incidence, commonalities, and outcomes of catastrophic neurological deficit caused by post-operative spinal epidural hematoma.

Findings

Epidural hematoma causing major neurological deficit (American Spinal Injury Association B) was identified in 4 out of 1750 patients (0.23%). All four patients in this series had subfascial wound suction drains placed prophylactically at the conclusion of their initial procedure.

Results

Three patients developed massive neurological deficits with the drain in place; one patient had the drain removed at 24 hours and subsequently developed neurological symptoms during the following post-operative day. Significant risk factors for the development of hematoma were identified in two of the four patients. Average time to return to the operating room for hematoma evacuation was 6 hours (range 3–12 hours). Neurological status significantly improved in all four patients after hematoma evacuation.

Conclusions

Post-operative epidural hematoma causing catastrophic neurological deficit is a rare complication after spinal surgery. The presence of suction wound drains does not appear to prevent the occurrence of this devastating complication.     

Pulmonary embolism after spinal surgery: report of two cases

We present two cases of pulmonary embolism (PE) without deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after spinal surgery with an anterior approach. On the seventh day after surgery, the patients’ plasma D-dimer levels were high without symptoms, so computed tomography (CT) was performed from chest to lower limb, revealing PE without lower limb DVT. After the exam, we immediately started anticoagulation therapy with heparin and warfarin. The patients were discharged with no complications. Previous reports have documented that DVT causes most cases of PE; however, our cases had no lower limb DVT. Some reports hypothesize that anterior spinal surgery might have a differential pathogenesis of PE. Simple mechanical prophylaxis for DVT may not protect these patients. On the other hand, the administration of chemical anticoagulants therapy after spinal surgery is controversial because of the risk of epidural hematoma. We should explain the risk of PE to patients undergoing spinal surgery with an anterior approach.     

Epidural hematoma following epidural catheter placement in a patient with chronic renal failure

PURPOSE: We report a case of epidural hematoma in a surgical patient with chronic renal failure who received an epidural catheter for postoperative analgesia. Symptoms of epidural hematoma occurred about 60 hr after epidural catheter placement. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 58-yr-old woman with a history of chronic renal failure was admitted for elective abdominal cancer surgery. Preoperative laboratory values revealed anemia, hematocrit 26%, and normal platelet, PT and PTT values. General anesthesia was administered for surgery, along with epidural catheter placement for postoperative analgesia. Following uneventful surgery, the patient completed an uneventful postoperative course for 48 hr. Then, the onset of severe low back pain, accompanied by motor and sensory deficits in the lower extremities, alerted the anesthesia team to the development of an epidural hematoma extending from T12 to L2 with spinal cord compression. Emergency decompressive laminectomy resulted in recovery of moderate neurologic function. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case of epidural hematoma formation in a surgical patient with chronic renal failure (CRF) and epidural postoperative analgesia. The only risk factor for the development of epidural hematoma was a history of CRF High-risk patients should be monitored closely for early signs of cord compression such as severe back pain, motor or sensory deficits. An opioid or opioid/local anesthetic epidural solution, rather than local anesthetic infusion alone, may allow continuous monitoring of neurological function and be a prudent choice in high-risk patients. If spinal hematoma is suspected, immediate MRI or CT scan should be done and decompressive laminectomy performed without delay.     

Spinal epidural hematoma after a pathologic compression fracture: an unusual presentation of multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spinal epidural hematoma can result from traumatic and atraumatic etiologies. Atraumatic spinal epidural hematomas have been reported as an initial presentation of multiple myeloma. There are no other reports previously describing spinal epidural hematoma after a pathologic spinal fracture. PURPOSE: To present the first reported case of a spinal epidural hematoma after a pathologic fracture and a very unusual initial presentation of multiple myeloma in a young patient. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Case report. METHODS: A healthy asymptomatic 37-year-old male was struck in the head with a ball while playing soccer. Initial symptoms included severe back pain without neurologic symptoms. Complete motor paralysis developed over the next 24 hours in the lower extremities with a sensory level of T10. Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the spine revealed a T6 compression fracture with a dorsal T3 to T10 epidural hematoma. The patient underwent surgical T2 to T8 posterior spinal decompression with evacuation of the hematoma. Serum and urine electrophoresis and bone marrow biopsy were performed. RESULTS: The results of the electrophoresis revealed an immunoglobulin A monoclonal spike. The bone marrow biopsy was positive for plasma cell myeloma. Recovery of some motor function was noted in both lower extremities postoperatively. The patient was subsequently started on steroids and chemotherapy for myeloma. The patient has also undergone bone marrow transplant, and his myeloma is currently in remission. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of spinal epidural hematoma after a pathologic spinal fracture. Also, this case represents an unusual initial presentation of multiple myeloma in a young patient.     

Postoperative spinal epidural hematoma at a site distant from the main surgical procedure: a case report and review of the literature

Background ContextPostoperative spinal epidural hematomas are known complications of spinal surgery. However, to our knowledge, there are no known cases of postoperative spinal epidural hematoma that occurred distant from the portion of the procedure that breached the spinal canal.PurposeTo report a case and review the literature on the development of postoperative spinal epidural hematoma at a site distant from the portion of the surgical procedure that breached the spinal canal.Study DesignCase report and review of the literature.MethodsOne patient at our institution developed a hematoma at a site distant from the surgical procedure that breached the spinal canal. We retrospectively reviewed the patient's clinical charts, radiographs, and computed tomography scans.ResultsA 57-year-old woman with adult scoliosis and junctional kyphosis underwent a pedicle subtraction osteotomy and long spinal fusion from T3 to the sacrum. Three hours postoperatively, she developed paraplegia with a neurologic deficit at a level distant from the site at which the spinal canal was surgically breached. A computed tomography myelogram revealed a spinal epidural hematoma that was causing compression of the spinal cord in the upper thoracic spine. The patient was returned to the operating room emergently and underwent laminectomy and hematoma evacuation. She had near-complete recovery 5 months after surgery.ConclusionSpinal epidural hematomas are rare but dangerous complications that can result in severe neurologic deficits. A neurologic examination should always be conducted in the operating room immediately after surgery; if it is abnormal, spinal epidural hematoma should be suspected. If the examination indicates a deficit at a site distant from the original surgery, then diagnostic reimaging (magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography myelogram) is indicated.     

Lumbar spinal epidural hematoma after chiropractic manipulation: A case report

Lumbar epidural hematoma is a very rare condition and can cause permanent neurological deficit needing urgent investigation and prompt intervention. We present here a case of lumbar epidural hematoma after chiropractic manipulation therapy for low back pain without any obvious predisposing factor. A fairly healthy and lively 72-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of grade 4 paresis after chiropractic manipulation therapy. She had no history of anticoagulation therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a spinal epidural hematoma with dural sac compression at the level of L3–L4. Rapid decompression of the spinal channel was performed. On follow-up 4 weeks after surgery, the patient was fully ambulatory and complained only of slight pain at the surgical site. MRI is the most useful method for diagnosing spinal epidural hematoma, the appropriate treatment for patients with neurological deficits being surgical decompression. Practitioners of chiropractic manipulation therapy should be aware of spinal epidural hematoma as a possible complication and should exercise caution in subgroups of patients on antithrombotic medication. Spinal epidural hematoma is a potentially reversible cause of neurological deterioration if diagnosed early and treated promptly.     

Acute non-traumatic extensive subdural spinal hematoma

Acute spinal subdural hematoma is a somewhat rare pathology. Its severity comes from the constitution of an acute spinal cord compression. In many cases MRI is useful for the differential diagnosis with the epidural hematoma. A 79-year-old patient was referred for emergency neurosurgery for acute spinal cord compression. The vascular risk in this patient was significant: hypertension, oral anticoagulants. Clinically, acute non-traumatic subdural spinal hematoma was suspected. The spinal cord MRI was in favor of the diagnosis which was confirmed intraoperatively. The surgical procedure revealed an extensive hematoma which infiltrated the spinal cord. The diagnosis of nontraumatic subdural spinal hematoma may be difficult in some cases and correctly established only during the surgical procedure. In comparison with reports in the literature, we discuss the underlying mechanisms of this hematoma. Spinal subdural haematoma must be considered in patients taking anticoagulant therapy or with a coagulation disorder who present signs of acute spinal cord compression. MRI sagittal T1 and T2-weighted images are adequate and reliable for diagnosis of spinal subdural hematoma. Prompt surgical evacuation of this hematoma is crucial.     

Small risk of serious neurologic complications related to lumbar epidural catheter placement in anesthetized patients

Previous studies have identified pain during needle/catheter placement or during the injection of local anesthetic as a risk factor for the development of persistent paresthesias after regional anesthetic techniques. The performance of regional blockade on anesthetized patients theoretically increases the risk of postoperative neurologic complications, because these patients are unable to respond to painful stimuli. In this study, we evaluated the frequency of neurologic complications in 4298 thoracic surgical patients undergoing lumbar epidural catheter placement while under general anesthesia. Catheters were placed immediately after the induction and tracheal intubation or on completion of the surgical procedure, before emergence. Most epidural catheters (4220, or 98.2%) were used solely for postoperative analgesia; only 78 (1.8%) epidural catheters were used for intraoperative anesthesia. In 4239 (98.6%) patients, an opioid alone was administered. The remaining 56 (1.3%) patients received a local anesthetic or local anesthetic/opioid mixture epidurally. Analgesia was graded as excellent or good in 92.2% of patients. Side effects included sedation in 455 (10.6%), nausea or emesis in 328 (7.6%), pruritus in 116 (2.7%), and respiratory depression (pH or=50 mm Hg) in 308 (7.2%) patients. The mean duration of epidural analgesia was 2.4 +/- 0.8 days (range, 0-10.7 days). There were no neurologic complications, including spinal hematoma, epidural abscess or catheter site infections, radicular symptoms, or persistent paresthesias (95% confidence interval, 0%-0.08%). In one patient, the epidural catheter broke during removal, and a portion was retained. The patient was notified; no long-term sequelae were noted. Six patients developed new neurologic symptoms or postoperative worsening of a previous neurologic condition unrelated to epidural catheterization. We conclude that the risk of neurologic complications associated with lumbar epidural catheter placement in anesthetized patients is small. However, the relative risk of this practice, compared with epidural catheter placement in awake patients, is unknown. IMPLICATIONS: We report no neurologic complications in 4298 patients undergoing epidural catheter placement while under general anesthesia. Although the risk of neurologic complications associated with lumbar epidural catheter placement in anesthetized patients is small, the relative risk compared with epidural catheterization in awake patients is unknown.     

Spinal epidural hematoma following epidural catheter removal in a paraplegic patient

Spinal epidural hematoma is a rare and devastating complication of epidural catheter removal in an anticoagulated patient. The diagnosis could be quite challenging, especially in patients with preexisting neurological deficits. A 35-year-old patient with remote spinal cord injury and T4 level paraplegia developed a spinal epidural hematoma on the 7th postoperative day. The hematoma developed after epidural catheter removal with concurrent administration of unfractionated heparin.     

A review of neuraxial epidural morbidity: experience of more than 8,000 cases at a single teaching hospital

BACKGROUND: The true incidence of serious neuraxial complications such as epidural hematoma or abscess after postoperative epidural infusions is still uncertain, in part due to inconsistencies in multicenter data collection. METHODS: Prospective data were collected over 16 yr from the authors' Acute Pain Service, which is based in a large tertiary teaching institution with a nonobstetric general surgical population. RESULTS: Over this period, 8,210 epidural catheters were inserted for postoperative analgesia and 32 computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans were undertaken to exclude potential neuraxial complications. From these, two spinal hematomas (1:4,105) and six epidural abscesses (1:1,368) were diagnosed. Only one patient required surgical decompression. There were no long-term neurologic sequelae in any patient. In the past 6 yr, the frequency of investigation and diagnosis of epidural abscess has increased. Overall, the combined rate of epidural abscess or hematoma was 1:1,026, (0.1%; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.19%) with a need for operative intervention of 1:8,210 (0.01%; 95% confidence interval, 0.0-0.07%). CONCLUSIONS: Spinal hematoma was very rare (< 0.05%). Epidural abscess was also rare (< 0.1%) but remains a potentially serious complication. Early diagnosis, using magnetic resonance imaging in patients with appropriate clinical indicators, before the onset of neurologic signs, enables conservative therapy in many cases and may help to prevent the development of serious neurologic sequelae.     

Spontaneous recovery from a spinal epidural hematoma with atypical presentation in a nonagenarian

PURPOSE: Spinal epidural hematoma following epidural anesthesia is extraordinarily rare in association with low-dose sc heparin, and the prognosis for neurologic recovery without rapid surgical decompression poor. We report a case of spinal epidural hematoma in a nonagenarian who received low-dose sc unfractionated heparin postoperatively in accordance with standard guidelines, presented with no back pain, and made full neurologic recovery without surgical intervention. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 90-yr-old female with gastric adenocarcinoma presented for subtotal gastrectomy. Her past medical history and physical examination were largely unremarkable and she had no bleeding diathesis. She took no medications other than preoperative ranitidine, and had a normal coagulation profile. A thoracic epidural catheter was placed uneventfully before induction of general anesthesia. Postoperatively, low-dose sc unfractionated heparin was started 12 hr after the epidural catheter insertion. On postoperative day two, the patient developed flaccid lower extremity paralysis and paresthesia without back pain. Her coagulation profile remained normal. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging showed a large epidural hematoma extending from T3 to T11. With conservative treatment and no surgery, the patient slowly made full neurologic recovery and was discharged home on postoperative day 56. CONCLUSION: Complete neurologic recovery from flaccid paralysis following spinal epidural hematoma occurred without surgical decompression in a nonagenarian. Low-dose sc heparin may be a greater risk factor for spinal epidural hematoma than previously assumed, and the absence of back pain does not rule out this diagnosis.     

Epidural hematoma after epidural block: implications for its use in pain management

BACKGROUND: Spinal epidural hematoma after spinal puncture such as for injection of steroids for pain management may result in a rare complication of a spinal epidural hematoma causing acute myelopathy. Although this complication is well known with epidural anesthesia, where it is usually seen with impaired hemostasis, there are surprisingly few case reports of epidural hematoma after an epidural steroid block. CASE DESCRIPTION: A healthy 34-year-old man with no evidence of coagulopathy and not taking antiplatelet medication suddenly had onset of acute cervical myelopathy from a large cervical epidural hematoma 8 days after a cervical epidural steroid block. Following prompt surgical evacuation of the clot, the patient made a near complete recovery. CONCLUSION: Spinal epidural hematoma after spinal puncture is usually associated with impaired hemostasis. This case illustrates that it may occur in the absence of known risk factors. The delayed onset and the absence of risk factors have implications for the use of this procedure in chronic pain management.     

A Review of Neuraxial Epidural Morbidity: Experience of More Than 8,000 Cases at a Single Teaching Hospital

Background: The true incidence of serious neuraxial complications such as epidural hematoma or abscess after postoperative epidural infusions is still uncertain, in part due to inconsistencies in multicenter data collection.

Methods: Prospective data were collected over 16 yr from the authors' Acute Pain Service, which is based in a large tertiary teaching institution with a nonobstetric general surgical population.

Results: Over this period, 8,210 epidural catheters were inserted for postoperative analgesia and 32 computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans were undertaken to exclude potential neuraxial complications. From these, two spinal hematomas (1:4,105) and six epidural abscesses (1:1,368) were diagnosed. Only one patient required surgical decompression. There were no long-term neurologic sequelae in any patient. In the past 6 yr, the frequency of investigation and diagnosis of epidural abscess has increased. Overall, the combined rate of epidural abscess or hematoma was 1:1,026, (0.1%; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.19%) with a need for operative intervention of 1:8,210 (0.01%; 95% confidence interval, 0.0-0.07%).     

Does preoperative antiplatelet therapy increase the risk of hemorrhagic complications associated with regional anesthesia?

Hospital records of 805 patients given 1013 spinal or epidural anesthetics were retrospectively studied to determine whether preoperative antiplatelet medications were significantly related to the development of hemorrhagic complications. Preoperative antiplatelet medications were taken by 391 (39%) patients, including 113 patients receiving multiple drugs. No patient developed signs of spinal hematoma or postoperative neurologic deficits. However, patients receiving antiplatelet medications had an increased incidence of "minor" hemorrhagic complications such as blood-tinged cerebrospinal fluid or blood aspirated through the spinal or epidural needle or catheter (P less than 0.05). When considered independently as risk factors, age and epidural anesthesia were not statistically significant determinants of the incidence of minor hemorrhagic complications. The combination of increased age and epidural (but not spinal) anesthesia was associated with a 4.5% incidence of minor hemorrhagic complications (P less than 0.05). Aspiration of blood through the spinal or epidural needle may not imply an increased risk for serious hemorrhagic complications. Clinical and laboratory screening of patients for preexisting coagulopathies and atraumatic needle placement may reduce the risk of minor hemorrhagic complications involved in patients given antiplatelet medications before the induction of regional anesthesia.     

胸椎椎管狭窄症术后急性硬脊膜外血肿

目的探讨胸椎椎管狭窄症术后急性硬脊膜外血肿的成因、诊断、治疗及预防措施。方法回顾性分析2003年6月～2011年12月因胸椎椎管狭窄症给予后路全椎板减压手术的患者101例,其中术后经再次手术证实术区急性硬脊膜外血肿9例,对其临床表现与再次手术情况进行分析。结果 9例患者全部获得随访,随访时间为3～45个月,平均34个月。血肿清除前神经功能评分为0.89±0.78,血肿清除后的神经功能评分为2.33±1.22,与术前相比差异有统计学意义（t=4.91,P〈0.01）。硬膜外血肿压迫时间为（7.72±7.06）min,血肿清除后神经功能恢复率与血肿压迫时间呈负相关（r=-0.789 6,P〈0.01）。结论胸椎椎管狭窄症手术后急性硬膜外血肿应尽快手术减压,血肿清除越早,术后神经功能恢复越好。     

Influence of Postoperative Hypertension on the Development of Spinal Epidural Hematoma

Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a rare postoperative complication but can result in catastrophic neurological deficits requiring immediate surgical evacuation of the hematoma. Knowing the risk factors for postoperative SEH can help surgeons stratify patients. Therefore, to identify possible risk factors for postoperative SEH, we reviewed 6 clinical cases and examined the relation between postoperative hypertension and the risk of developing SEH. A retrospective review was conducted of 1282 consecutive patients who underwent spinal surgery at a single institution between 2010 and 2015. Of this cohort, 6 patients developed symptomatic SEH and underwent emergency hematoma evacuation. The 6 SEH patients were evaluated for previously described risk factors of postoperative hematoma formation. In particular, postoperative blood pressure measurements were reviewed. The incidence of postoperative symptomatic SEH was 0.468%. Two patients developed SEH secondary to a nonfunctional surgical drain in the early postoperative period (5 or 12 h post‐surgery). Preoperative and postoperative hypertension was observed in 4 patients who developed SEH at greater than or equal to 48 h following surgery. Our findings suggest that rigorous postoperative blood pressure control may decrease the risk of SEH.     

Postoperative nadroparin administration for prophylaxis of thromboembolic events is not associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage after spinal surgery

Aim: To determine the risk of postoperative hemorrhage during a 3-year period of early postoperative administration of nadroparin (Fraxiparin) plus compression stockings in a large cohort of patients who underwent spinal surgery. Methods: A total of 1,954 spinal procedures at different levels (503 cervical, 152 thoracic and 1,299 lumbar), performed between June 1999 and 2002 at the Department of Neurosurgery, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University Frankfurt, were included in this study. To prevent venous thromboembolic events (VTE), all patients were routinely treated subcutaneously with 0.3 ml of early (less than 24 h) postoperative nadroparin calcium (Fraxiparin) (2850 IU anti-Xa, Sanofi Winthrop Industrie, France) plus intra- and postoperative compression stockings until discharge. The occurrence of a postoperative hematoma (defined as a hematoma requiring surgical evacuation because of space occupation and/or neurological deterioration) and a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were recorded in a database and analyzed retrospectively. Results: 13 (0.7%) of the 1,954 spinal operations were complicated by major postoperative hemorrhages. In 5 of the 13 patients (38.5%) the hemorrhage occurred on the day of surgery before the administration of nadroparin. Thus, the hemorrhage rate of patients receiving nadroparin was 0.4% (8/1,949). Ten (77%) of the 13 patients with major postoperative hematoma showed a progressive neurological deficit, which resolved in 6 patients and resulted in a hematoma-related morbidity of 31% (4/13). Only 1 patient (0.05%) in this series developed a clinically evident DVT, and none of the patients suffered from pulmonary embolus during the hospital stay. Conclusion: Although retrospective, this is to date the largest study providing information about the hemorrhage rate associated with early postoperative anticoagulation following spinal surgery. The results confirm that early postoperative pharmacological thromboembolic prophylaxis using nadroparin in patients with spinal surgery is not associated with an increased risk of postoperative hemorrhage.Disclosure: The authors have no financial interest in the methodology advanced by this study. This study was not supported by Sanofi Winthrop Industrie, FranceThis revised version was published in December 2003 with corrections to numerical data in the abstract and the results section.     

Resolution of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma without surgery: report of two cases.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma that completely resolved, clinically and radiographically, without surgical treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The treatment of spinal epidural hematoma is usually surgical. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is an uncommon phenomenon and may be of uncertain cause. METHODS: One patient with acute onset of complete quadriplegia and another with complete paraplegia caused by spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma were treated without surgery. RESULTS: Both patients recovered nearly completely with respect to their neurologic function at 3-month follow-up. No source of hematoma was ever identified. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sudden onset of spinal cord compression in association with back pain. Patients initially presenting with severe neurologic dysfunction are potential candidates for conservative management if they demonstrate rapid and progressive improvement in neurologic function. Patients treated in this manner can have nearly complete restoration of function.     

关节置换术患者椎管内麻醉和全身麻醉术后并发症发生情况比较的Meta分析

计算机检索比较关节置换术患者椎管内麻醉和全身麻醉效果的临床随机对照试验,文献检索至2008年10月,并发症包括深静脉血栓、肺栓塞、硬膜外血肿.采用Cochrane协作网提供的RevMan 5.0统计软件行Meta分析.共纳入12项前瞻性临床随机对照研究,1023例患者.Meta分析结果显示,对于围术期未行抗凝治疗的关节置换术患者,椎管内麻醉较全身麻醉可降低术后深静脉血栓和肺栓塞的发生率,而抗凝治疗后发生率无差异;无论是否行抗凝治疗,采用该两种麻醉方法后均未并发硬膜外血肿.     

A case of acute spinal epidural hematoma in a patient with antiplatelet therapy

The authors report a case of acute spinal epidural hematoma occurring in a patient receiving antiplatelet drugs. A 76-year-old man with a history of cerebral infarction had been taking antiplatelet agents for one year. He suddenly developed severe back pain which woke him from sleep, and numbness of his lower extremities was then noted. He was hospitalized 15 hours later. Neurological examination revealed flaccid paralysis of both lower extremities with negative Babinski's reflex, and sensory disturbance below the level of L1. The bleeding time and prothrombin time were prolonged. Computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a biconvex, relatively hyperdense mass in the posterior spinal canal at the level of T12. Metrizamide myelography disclosed an incomplete blockage caused by an epidural mass at the level of T11. Post-myelographic CT scan demonstrated a sharply demarcated extradural filling defect at the level of T11. Seventeen hours after the onset of symptoms, an emergency laminectomy was performed extending from T12 to L3, and the epidural clot was totally evacuated. Histological examination of the capsule of the hematoma revealed no vascular anomalies. The patient made a good postoperative recovery. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of spontaneous intraspinal hemorrhage in a patient taking antiplatelet drugs. Acute onset of persistent pain anywhere along the spinal axis and the development of spinal neurological deficits in a patient on antiplatelet therapy should raise the suspicion of a spinal epidural hematoma. It should be stressed that prompt neuroradiological diagnosis and rapid surgical decompression are essential to allow good recovery. The present case illustrates that neurological emergencies can occur in patients receiving antiplatelet therapy.