Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma mimicking acute coronary syndrome

Noor Mohammed1, Muhammad Shahid1, Munirul Haque1

  • 11 Department of Cardiology, 2 Department of Radiology, Heart of England NHS Trust, Birmingham B9 5SS, UK.

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is an acute neurological emergency which carries significant morbidity unless diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion. Some cases of SSEH are idiopathic but there is a well-recognised association with deranged coagulation and abnormalities of clotting. In recent years there has been increasing availability of novel anti-platelet agents, often prescribed in the setting of suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and following percutaneous coronary interventions and these agents also present an increased risk of SSEH. We present a case of SSEH following an acute presentation with chest pain and treatment with dual anti-platelet therapy.

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