IS THERE A LINK BETWEEN ACUTE SPINAL EPIDURAL HEMATOMA AND ASPIRIN

Study Design. This is a report of a patient with acute spinal epidural hematoma taking aspirin, 250 mg/day. Objective. To describe the association of spinal epidural hematoma and aspirin. Summary of Background Data. In about 50% of patients, the cause of acute spinal epidural hematoma is obscure. Analysis of possible mechanisms is necessary. Methods. Diagnostic lumbar puncture, suboccipital myelography, and surgical removal of the hematoma was performed. Results. Increased bleeding was noticed during these procedures. Bleeding time was normal 6 days after discontinuance of aspirin. Conclusion. Because aspirin is widely used, its role in causing spinal epidural hematoma will remain conjectal. For the present patient, however, it was postulated that aspirin had a major impact on the extent of the epidural bleeding. There should be awareness of a possible link between aspirin and spinal epidural hematoma.