Neurosurgery. 1996 Nov; 39(5): 1043-5.

Cervical epidural hematoma after chiropractic manipulation in a healthy young woman: case report.

Segal DH, Lidov MW, Camins MB.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, City University of New York, USA.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Posttraumatic spinal epidural hematoma is an uncommon entity. We present the first report of spinal epidural hematoma occurring after chiropractic manipulation in a healthy young adult without preexisting cervical disease or any obvious predisposing factors. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: The patient presented with radicular and myelopathic symptoms that developed 15 minutes after chiropractic manipulation. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed. They revealed a cervical epidural hematoma. INTERVENTION: The hematoma was evacuated, and all of the patient's neurological symptoms improved over the course of the next 3 days. CONCLUSION: Although cervical spinal epidural hematoma is a rare clinical entity, it must be considered in patients with pain or neurological deficit after cervical trauma.