Cervicothoracic epidural hematoma after chiropractic spinal manipulation therapy. Case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

A spinal epidural hematoma is an extremely rare complication of cervical spine manipulation therapy (CSMT). The authors present the case of an adult woman, otherwise in good health, who developed Brown-Séquard syndrome after CSMT. Decompressive surgery performed within 8 hours after the onset of symptoms allowed for complete recovery of the patient's preoperative neurological deficit. The unique feature of this case was the magnetic resonance image showing increased signal intensity in the paraspinal musculature consistent with a contusion, which probably formed after SMT. The pertinent literature is also reviewed.

• Authors: Maurizio Domenicucci, Alessandro Ramieri, Maurizio Salvati, Christian Brogna, Antonino Raco
• Journal: Journal of neurosurgery. Spine (J Neurosurg Spine) Vol. 7 Issue 5 Pg. 571-4 (Nov 2007) ISSN: 1547-5654 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17977203 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Cervical Vertebrae
• Female
• Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Humans
• Manipulation, Chiropractic (adverse effects)
• Middle Aged
• Thoracic Vertebrae