[Crural and lumbar plexus neuropathies under anticoagulant treatment]

Thirteen cases of crural or, less often, lumbar plexus neuropathies are reported which were secondary to hematomas in patients under anticoagulant therapy. They are the most frequent peripheral neurological complications of anticoagulant therapy. The clinical symptoms, which often point directly to the diagnosis, are discussed and several additional investigations (conventional X-ray, transverse tomography, EMG, etc.) are presented. The criteria for prognosis and therapeutic problems, in particular the indication for surgical drainage of the hematoma or for neurolysis, are discussed. Finally, the pathogenic mechanisms of these neuropathies are outlined.