Introduction:
Spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas are rare. However, in patients on anticoagulant treatment the risk may increase. Symptomatically patients may present with radiculopathy and even progressive neurological deficits.
Case description:
We present a case of a warfarin treated patient with left L5 radiculopathy. MRI was evaluated as showing a lumbar disc prolapse or synovial cyst at L4-L5 level. The patient was operated and an organized material was removed and analysed as a hematoma. No prolapsed disc or synovial cyst was found. The patient was neurologically restored following the operation.
Discussion and evaluation:
This case illustrates how spontaneous epidural spinal hematomas can present with symptoms of radiculopathy and radiologically be misinterpreted as a protruding disc or cyst.
Conclusion:
Warfarin treated patients may have an increased risk of spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas.