title: Acute spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: an important differential diagnosis in patients under clopidogrel therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is an infrequent spinal pathology. Although it is related to numerous risk factors, its etiology remains unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article was to review the most important data in the literature about SSEH and to propose clopidogrel (Plavix) therapy as a risk factor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 79-year-old woman was hospitalized in our unit with posterior thoracic pain and urinary retention of 72 hours duration. A clinical history was taken, and laboratory and imaging tests were performed. Urgent surgical decompression was performed, showing an epidural hematoma. Postoperative bacteriological cultures were negative, and microscopic analysis confirmed the diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For this patient, clopidogrel (Plavix) therapy was the only risk factor related to SSEH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In any patient under clopidogrel (Plavix): Sanofi-Synthelabo, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals) therapy and with a typical clinical presentation, SSEH should be suspected and quickly diagnosed, regardless of hemostatic status or the absence of other major risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique, Hôpital Beaujon, 100 Bd du Général Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France. alejandromoralesciancio@yahoo.com.ar
authors.forename: Ruben Alejandro
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Morales Ciancio
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Drain
authors.forename: Ludovic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rillardon
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guigui
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D046748:Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D000638:Amiodarone; D013988:Ticlopidine