Bilateral iliopsoas hematomas complicating anticoagulant therapy

Abstract

An 85-year-old woman receiving anticoagulant therapy for transient ischemic attack suddenly developed bilateral femoral nerve palsy and severe pain in the bilateral groin and thighs. Her platelet count, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were within the therapeutic range. Hematomas in the bilateral iliopsoas muscles were clearly detectable on CT scan. The right hematoma was larger than the left one and caused more severe femoral neuropathy, but improved gradually without surgical decompression. This case is reported here because bilateralism is exceptional, and iliopsoas hematoma should be suspected when a patient receiving anticoagulant therapy presents with pain in the groin or thigh.