• D E Robinson, K E Ball, and P J Webb.
• Department of Orthopaedics, Taunton and Somerset Hospital, Musgrove Park, Taunton, England. drobinsonfrcs@hotmail.com
• Spine. 2001 Mar 15;26(6):E135-8.

Study DesignCase report of an iliopsoas hematoma with femoral neuropathy appearing 8 weeks after a posterior spinal decompression procedure.ObjectivesTo describe a potential complication and differential diagnosis for nerve root symptoms following spinal decompression.Summary Of Background DataIliopsoas hematoma is usually a complication of anticoagulation, hemophilia, or trauma. It has not been described previously as a complication of posterior spinal decompression. Femoral neuropathy results from compression within the iliopsoas compartment.MethodsA 53-year-old woman reported pain in the right side of her groin and an increasing fixed flexion deformity of the right hip 8 weeks after a posterior, midline, spinal decompression. A femoral neuropathy later developed. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography were performed.ResultsImaging studies demonstrated a diffusely enlarged iliopsoas. Exploration revealed a large hematoma, which was evacuated. The compartment was fully decompressed with resolution of the nerve root symptoms within 48 hours.ConclusionsIliopsoas pathology is a rare cause of nerve root symptoms and presented diagnostic difficulties after an apparently successful spinal decompression.

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