An extensive spinal epidural abscess successfully treated conservatively

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2009 Mar;80(3):351-3. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2008.148163.

Abstract

A spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is an uncommon condition, appearing in 0.2-2 cases per 10,000 hospital admissions. Urgent surgical decompression in combination with long term antibiotics is the common treatment of choice for SEA. However, in some cases, a non-surgical treatment can also be considered. In this case report, a patient is presented with SEA extending from C2 to L3 which was successfully treated with antibiotic therapy without surgical intervention.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
  • Epidural Abscess / diagnosis
  • Epidural Abscess / drug therapy*
  • Floxacillin / therapeutic use*
  • Gastroplasty
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy
  • Radiculopathy / diagnosis
  • Radiculopathy / drug therapy
  • Reoperation
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Teicoplanin / adverse effects
  • Teicoplanin / therapeutic use*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Floxacillin
  • Teicoplanin