Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Haemorrhage During Anticoagulant Therapy

Abstract

Three cases of spinal epidural haemorrhage associated with anticoagulant therapy are reported. All presented with pain and an acute paraparesis or quadriparesis. A review of the literature revealed no precise clinical syndrome. However, the onset of acute spinal neurological deficits in any patient on anticoagulants must raise the suspicion that a spinal epidural haemorrhage has occurred, in which event surgical decompression is mandatory. © 1966, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.