Disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with spinal cord laceration: a case report

A 31-year-old man was thrown from his motorcycle, sustaining a thoracolumbar fracture and cervical spine fracture with no evidence of neurologic function below L1. At the time of spinal fusion, there was diffuse bleeding from the soft tissues. Visualization of the thoracolumbar fraction revealed separation of the laminae with a dural tear and extruding spinal cord tissue. Laboratory evaluation identified abnormal clotting studies intraoperatively and postoperatively. We postulate that release of potent spinal cord thromboplastins into the systemic circulation may elicit a coagulopathy, as has been recognized following craniocerebral trauma.