Lumbar Epidural Hematoma Following Interlaminar Fluoroscopically Guided Epidural Steroid Injection

Spinal epidural steroid injections are generally considered a safe, effective treatment for radicular pain in a variety of spinal conditions. Complications secondary to these injections, although rare, can result in devastating neurologic symptoms. Patients with preexisting moderate-to-severe spinal stenosis and recent use of chronic anticoagulation pose a challenging dilemma when making treatment decisions, as a history of both can increase the risk of complications.

The following case study provides a description of a patient with spinal stenosis who discontinued anticoagulation therapy according to the recommended guidelines but who experienced a subsequent acute epidural hematoma and significant neurologic injury.

This case report describes the potential risk factors present in this patient. Presence of spinal stenosis and the interlaminar approach seem to be significant risk factors in this case. Presence of an intrinsic coagulopathy was not determined.