Abstract

BACKGROUND
Simultaneous pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and hemopericardium is a rare but life-threatening condition. As hemopericardium is a contraindication to anticoagulation treatment, it is challenging to handle both conditions together.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to report a rare case of a man with thoracic spinal cord injury presenting with simultaneous PTE and hemopericardium.
DESIGN
Case report.
SUBJECT
A 43-year-old man with incomplete T9 paraplegia (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale D) complained of fever one and a half months after spinal cord injury sustained in a fall.
FINDINGS
During evaluation of fever origin, chest computed tomography and transthoracic echocardiogram revealed simultaneous PTE and hemopericardium. After serial echocardiograms over 2 days demonstrated stability, intravenous heparin, and oral warfarin were administered and his medical status was observed closely. Ultimately, both conditions improved without significant complications.
CONCLUSION
We report successful treatment of man with acute spinal cord injury who presented with simultaneously diagnosed PTE and hemopericardium, a rare complication involving two distinct and opposing pathological mechanisms and conflicting treatments.

Links

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

Han JY, Seon HJ, Choi IS, Ahn Y, Jeong MH, Lee SG

Institution

Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Aging and Geriatrics, Regional CardioCereboVascular Center, Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School & Hospital, Gwangju City, Republic of Korea.

Source

The journal of spinal cord medicine 35:3 2012 May pg 178-81

MeSH

Adult
Humans
Male
Paraplegia
Pericardial Effusion
Pulmonary Embolism
Spinal Cord Injuries
Thoracic Vertebrae

Pub Type(s)

Case Reports
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22507028