Commercial massage tool‐induced spinal epidural hematoma

BACKGROUND: Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH), which may develop into an emergency condition, is a rare disease. Here, we present the case of a patient with SEH caused by cervical massage using a commercial massage tool. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75‐year‐old man was brought to our hospital with a chief complaint of posterior neck pain during sleep. He had used a commercial massage tool before going to bed. Upon arrival, hypotension and respiratory failure were observed. His muscle strength in both the upper and lower extremities rated 0 on the manual muscle test, and sensory loss below the papillae was observed. His symptoms resolved spontaneously after 2 h. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested a spinal cord epidural hematoma at the C2/C3 to C3/C4 level. On day 6, the patient was discharged without any impairment. CONCLUSION: Fatal complications could occur by cervical massage using a commercial massage tool.