Cervical epidural hematoma after chiropractic manipulation in a healthy young woman: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

Posttraumatic spinal epidural hematoma is an uncommon entity. We present the first report of spinal epidural hematoma occurring after chiropractic manipulation in a healthy young adult without preexisting cervical disease or any obvious predisposing factors.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

The patient presented with radicular and myelopathic symptoms that developed 15 minutes after chiropractic manipulation. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed. They revealed a cervical epidural hematoma.

INTERVENTION

The hematoma was evacuated, and all of the patient's neurological symptoms improved over the course of the next 3 days.

CONCLUSION

Although cervical spinal epidural hematoma is a rare clinical entity, it must be considered in patients with pain or neurological deficit after cervical trauma.