Case report – Gluteal hematoma in two spinal cord patients on enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis: evidence needed for a wiser choice

INTRODUCTION: Acute spinal cord injury is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events. Low-molecular-weight heparins are first-line medications for both the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism. Pharmacological prophylaxis may be indicated for high-risk patients and low-risk patients may be managed with non-pharmacological measures. CASE PRESENTATION: We report two cases of gluteal hematomas that occurred in patients with chronic spinal cord injury who were under prophylactic doses of enoxaparin at a tertiary rehabilitation hospital. There was no local trauma. The patients needed multiple surgical interventions and rehabilitation treatment was delayed. DISCUSSION: There is a lack of evidence to correctly estimate the thromboembolic risk in chronic spinal cord injury and the duration of prophylaxis. Over-prescription of pharmacological prophylaxis may expose patients to unnecessary risks. These patients frequently present with polypharmacy and reducing the amount of prescribed medication may begin with reducing prophylactic treatments for venous thromboembolism, which may be an overtreatment based on risk overestimation.