Case report : thoracic spinal epidural haematoma an unusual cause of chest pain 個案報告:胸椎硬膜外血腫 ─ 一個罕有的胸痛成因

Chest pain is a common presentation to the emergency department. Aetiologies to be considered are usually cardiac or pulmonary in origin. We reported a rare case of thoracic spinal epidural haematoma initially presenting to the emergency department with chest pain. The patient re-attended the emergency department four hours after discharge with symptoms of cord compression. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine showed an epidural haematoma causing cord compression. Surgical decompression was performed with gradual resolution of symptoms. Simply ruling out acute coronary syndrome may not be sufficient in patients presenting with chest pain. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2006;13:217-220)