Spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma in a geriatric patient under anticoagulant

Abstract

Spinal subdural haematoma is rare and may be associated with blood dyscrasia, anticoagulant therapy, lumbar puncture, rupture of arteriovenous malformation, tumour bleeding and spinal trauma. We present a 65-year-old female with history of hypertension and atrial fibrillation. She was on anticoagulant. She presented to the emergency department with an acute lumbar back pain, severe paraparesis and urinary retention. Examination on admission, revealed lower limb paralysis (grade 1/5), cauda equina syndrom and difficulty in self-voiding. A lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was arranged urgently. No coagulation abnormality was detected. MRI demonstrated an epidural haematoma at T12-L1 with spinal cord compression. Decompression was recommended but the patient refused surgery. A complete resolution of the haematoma and neurological recovery ensued without surgical intervention. Neurological recovery was observed within 24 h after Spinal subdural haematoma onset. MRI one month later showed total absorption of haematoma. One year later, the patient always has urinary retention, and she is under intermittent catheterization. Surgical decompression is still the main treatment option of Spinal subdural haematoma, however, a conservative therapeutic approach with careful observation may be  considered as a treatment of choice in some cases where surgery is refused (high risk or other reasons) and neurologic recovery is early and sustained.

Pan African Medical Journal 2015; 21