Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma: Another Neurologic Complication of Cocaine?

OBJECTIVES: To describe a patient with a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma associated wth cocaine use and to present issues related to pathogenesis and management of this potential complication. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Municipal hospital. CASE: A spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma develop...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inArchives of neurology (Chicago) Vol. 53; no. 8; pp. 819 - 821
Main Authors Samkoff, Lawrence M, Daras, Michael, Kleiman, Anne R, Koppel, Barbara S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Chicago, IL American Medical Association 01.08.1996
Subjects
Biological and medical sciences
Cocaine - adverse effects
Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial - etiology
Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial - pathology
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Neurology
Spinal Cord - pathology
Time Factors
Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system
Case study
Extradural
Human
Drug addiction
Nervous system diseases
Vertebral canal
Toxicity
Hematoma
Secondary effect
Cocaine
Spinal cord disease
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Summary:OBJECTIVES: To describe a patient with a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma associated wth cocaine use and to present issues related to pathogenesis and management of this potential complication. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Municipal hospital. CASE: A spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma developed at the thoracic level in a 62-year-old man in association with cocaine use. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data are presented. MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS: The patient was treated medically with intravenous and oral dexamethasone sodium phosphate. His neurologic status gradually improved during a 12-day hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Cocaine use should be considered in the evaluation of spontaneous spinal epidural hemorrhage.
ISSN:0003-9942
1538-3687
DOI:10.1001/archneur.1996.00550080145023