Case report: magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of epidural abscess complicating perirectal fistulizing Crohn's disease

Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2003 Mar;9(2):122-4. doi: 10.1097/00054725-200303000-00006.

Abstract

Epidural abscess is a rare complication of fistulizing Crohn's disease (CD), potentially appearing as neurologic symptoms or back and leg pain. We report a case of a large epidural abscess resulting from uncontrolled fistulizing CD, which was rapidly defined using gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Whenever caudal neurologic symptoms, back pain, and fever arise in CD patients, diagnostic MRI of the pelvis in addition to conventional computerized tomography should be considered to identify perirectal fistulization to the spine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacteremia / complications
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis*
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Crohn Disease / complications
  • Crohn Disease / diagnosis*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / administration & dosage
  • Epidural Abscess / complications
  • Epidural Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Rectal Fistula / complications
  • Rectal Fistula / diagnosis*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Serratia Infections / complications
  • Serratia Infections / diagnosis*
  • Serratia Infections / drug therapy
  • Serratia marcescens / isolation & purification
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / complications
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents