Abstract
Intramedullary spinal cord abscess associated with infectious spondylodiscitis is a rare entity. The case of a 66-year-old man with an intramedullary spinal cord abscess complicating thoracic spondylodiscitis is presented. The patient was unable to ambulate independently due to weakness of the legs. MR imaging showed findings suggestive of infectious spondylodiscitis at the T5-T6 level associated with epidural and intramedullary spinal cord abscesses. Biopsy of the intervertebral disc was performed and Bacteroides fragilis was isolated. Antibiotic therapy was instituted, and MR imaging of the thoracic spine was performed 6 weeks after the initiation of treatment, showing resolution of the epidural and intramedullary spinal cord abscesses.
MeSH terms
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Abscess / diagnosis
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Abscess / drug therapy
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Abscess / etiology*
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Aged
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
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Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage
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Bacteroides Infections / complications*
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Bacteroides Infections / diagnosis
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Bacteroides Infections / drug therapy
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Bacteroides fragilis / isolation & purification*
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Biopsy, Needle / methods
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Clindamycin / administration & dosage
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Discitis / complications*
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Discitis / diagnosis
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Discitis / drug therapy
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Humans
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
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Male
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Metronidazole / administration & dosage
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Rare Diseases
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Spinal Cord / pathology
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Spinal Cord Diseases / complications*
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Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis
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Thoracic Vertebrae / microbiology
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Thoracic Vertebrae / pathology
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Anti-Infective Agents
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Metronidazole
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Clindamycin