BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (Mar 2025)

Spontaneous psoas hematoma following posterior lumbar fusion surgery: a mini literature review

  • Hai-Hong Zhao,
  • You-Feng Guo,
  • Shu-Bao Zhang,
  • Harshita-shahi,
  • Hao-Wei Xu,
  • Bin Yu,
  • Hui-Da Gu,
  • Shan-Jin Wang,
  • Tao Hu,
  • De-Sheng Wu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08455-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Abstract Background Spontaneous psoas hematoma is a very rare clinical entity, and the pathogenesis and pathologic mechanisms of spontaneous psoas hematoma remain unclear, thus, it is of great value to explore. Case presentation We encountered a patient who developed femoral nerve paralysis due to psoas muscle hematoma following posterior lumbar fusion surgery. A 69-year-old female with lumbar spinal canal stenosis underwent posterior lumbar fusion at the L3-4 and L4-5 levels. On the 7th postoperative day, the patient complained of severe abdominal pain along with right limb pain and weakness. A computed tomography image showed a large acute psoas muscle hematoma on the right side. After conservative treatment, the psoas hematoma was resolved and the patient’s femoral nerve paralysis gradually recovered. Conclusions Spontaneous psoas hematoma is a rare and extremely dangerous complication after lumbar spine surgery. For high - risk patients who have taken anticoagulants before the operation, we must be vigilant against the occurrence of this complication.

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