STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To describe the rare case of a patient presenting with rhabdomyolysis accompanied by spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma (SDH) and subarachnoid hematoma (SAH), presumably caused by amphetamine abuse. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spontaneous SDH accompanied by SAH is an extremely rare condition. To date, only one case describing spinal SAH related to amphetamine abuse has been reported. METHODS: A 41-year-old man who had a history of amphetamine abuse presented with severe frank pain and lower limb numbness with incomplete paraplegia. Urinary incontinence was subsequently noted. Thoracic-spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed SDHs in the dorsal aspect of the middle thoracic level and along the anterior part of the thecal sac, as well as SAH in the T11-T12 level. Diffuse paraspinal hyperintensity was detected, indicating rhabdomyolysis (creatine phosphokinase levels were also abnormally elevated). RESULTS: The patient responded well to decompression surgical treatment and has since then exhibited no neurologic deficits. CONCLUSION: We have described a novel case of spinal SDH with SAH. The possible underlying cause of amphetamine abuse is discussed.
STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To describe the rare case of a patient presenting with rhabdomyolysis accompanied by spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma (SDH) and subarachnoid hematoma (SAH), presumably caused by amphetamine abuse. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spontaneous SDH accompanied by SAH is an extremely rare condition. To date, only one case describing spinal SAH related to amphetamine abuse has been reported. METHODS: A 41-year-old man who had a history of amphetamine abuse presented with severe frank pain and lower limb numbness with incomplete paraplegia. Urinary incontinence was subsequently noted. Thoracic-spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed SDHs in the dorsal aspect of the middle thoracic level and along the anterior part of the thecal sac, as well as SAH in the T11-T12 level. Diffuse paraspinal hyperintensity was detected, indicating rhabdomyolysis (creatine phosphokinase levels were also abnormally elevated). RESULTS: The patient responded well to decompression surgical treatment and has since then exhibited no neurologic deficits. CONCLUSION: We have described a novel case of spinal SDH with SAH. The possible underlying cause of amphetamine abuse is discussed.