[Myelopathy induced by anticoagulant medication. Report of a case with spinal epidural hematoma]

A 51 year-old female patient, under anticoagulant therapy due to thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism, developed sudden paraplegia. Emergency myelogram showed a total block at L2 level and an epidural hematoma was removed at surgery, but the motor deficit remained unchanged post-operatively. The pertinent literature is reviewed, etiological considerations are made and emphasis is placed on early diagnosis and prompt treatment.