Hemorrhage into the epidural (or subdural) space causes acute focal or radicular pain followed by variable signs of a spinal cord disorder. Therapeutic anticoagulation, trauma, tumor, or blood dyscrasia is a predisposing condition; rarely, hematomas complicate LP or epidural anesthesia. Treatment consists of prompt reversal of any underlying bleeding disorder and surgical decompression.
For a more detailed discussion, see Gucalp R, Dutcher J: Oncologic Emergencies, Chap. 331, p. 1787; and Hauser SL, Ropper AH: Diseases of the Spinal Cord, Chap. 456, p. 2650, in HPIM-19. |
Section 2. Medical Emergencies