Spontaneous epidural abscess: Analysis of 15 cases with emphasis on diagnostic and prognostic factors (original) (raw)
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Spinal epidural abscess in clinical practice
QJM, 2007
Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare but severe infection requiring prompt recognition. The major prognostic factor for a favourable outcome is early diagnosis, leading to appropriate treatment. In clinical practice, a diagnosis of SEA is often not considered, particularly in the early stages of the disease when neurological symptoms are not apparent. Knowledge of persons at risk, clinical features and the required diagnostic procedures may decrease the number of initially misdiagnosed cases. Clinical signs, duration of symptoms and the rate of neurological deterioration show a high interindividual variability, and the classic triad (spinal pain, fever and neurological deficit) is often not found, especially not at first presentation to a physician. However, most patients complain of severe localized back pain. Inflammatory parameters in the blood are generally elevated, but not specific. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is the most sensitive, specific and accurate imaging method. Although neurosurgical decompression is still the treatment of choice in the majority of cases, less invasive procedures (e.g. computed tomography-guided needle aspiration) or antimicrobial treatment alone can be applied in selected cases. The choice of the most appropriate therapy should be discussed immediately after a confirmed diagnosis in consultation with infectious disease, radiology and spinal surgery specialists. The outcome of SEA is largely influenced by the severity and duration of neurological deficits prior to surgery, stressing the importance of early recognition.
Spinal epidural abscess: A report of 40 cases and review
Surgical Neurology, 1992
Despite modern medical advances, the morbidity and mortality rates associated with spinal epidural abscess remain significant, and the diagnosis often is elusive. A retrospective study was undertaken to define better the incidence and clinical features of this infection, and to establish current diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines. Forty cases of spinal epidural abscess were encountered at our institution between July 1979 and March 1991. All medical records and radiological images were reviewed. We report a significant increase in the incidence of epidural abscess after June 1988 (p = 0 .0195). Sixteen patients used drugs intravenously, and six had undergone spinal procedures. Twelve patients were misdiagnosed in various emergency rooms or clinics and discharged. Localized back pain, fever, and neurological deficit remained the typical clinical manifestations. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated uniformly when measured (21 cases). Magnetic resonance imaging was diagnostic specifically in 23 of 24 instances. The majority of patients underwent surgical drainage, but five selected patients were managed nonoperatively. The highly variable presentation of spinal epidural abscess may confuse the diagnosis and delay indicated surgical intervention. Localized back pain in a febrile patient at significant risk for epidural abscess warrants erythrocyte sedimentation rate measurement. The presence of erythrocyte sedimentation rate elevation or evidence of spinal cord compression on physical examination are indications for immediate magnetic resonance imaging examination with contrast enhancement. Surgical drainage with sustained intravenous antibiotic treatment remains the cornerstone of therapy. Nonoperative management may be considered in selected cases .
Microorganisms, 2020
Spinal infection poses a demanding diagnostic and treatment problem for which a multidisciplinary approach with spine surgeons, radiologists, and infectious disease specialists is required. Infections are usually caused by bacterial microorganisms, although fungal infections can also occur. The most common route for spinal infection is through hematogenous spread of the microorganism from a distant infected area. Most patients with spinal infections diagnosed in early stages can be successfully managed conservatively with antibiotics, bed rest, and spinal braces. In cases of gross or pending instability, progressive neurological deficits, failure of conservative treatment, spinal abscess formation, severe symptoms indicating sepsis, and failure of previous conservative treatment, surgical treatment is required. In either case, close monitoring of the patients with spinal infection with serial neurological examinations and imaging studies is necessary.
Spinal Epidural Abscess: Diagnosis and Treatment
Operative Techniques in Neurosurgery, 2004
Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is an uncommon entity, with an incidence of 0.2 to 2 per 10,000 hospital admissions. It is associated with potentially devastating neurological consequences. The incidence is increasing with the increase in intravenous drug use and increasing spinal procedures. SEA is classically described as presenting with fever, focal back pain, and progressive neurological symptoms. However, patients rarely fulfill all the characteristics of this pathognomonic triad. The key in diagnosis is a high level of suspicion when patients present with back pain. MRI is highly accurate in the evaluation. Empiric antibiotics for SEA must include coverage for staphylococci (vancomycin pending organism identification and susceptibility testing) and gram-negative bacilli (e.g., ceftazidime, cefepime, or meropenem), and antibiotics should continue for at least 8 weeks. Surgical evacuation remains the standard treatment in patients who present with neurologic signs on physical examination or who have failed medical management. The prognosis depends on the presenting neurologic status. Despite recent efforts, SEA is associated with a high mortality rate, most likely a result of delayed diagnosis and poor neurologic status at presentation. Therefore, high suspicion and early diagnosis remain the most important factors in the management of SEA. Oper Tech Neurosurg 7: [188][189][190][191][192]
Transactions of the American Neurological Association, 1973
Thirty cases of spinal epidural abscess are reviewed with particular emphasis on mode of presentation and results of treatment. In spite of repeated exhortations in the literature for earlier diagnosis, the results remain unsatisfactory because many patients have progressed to severe or complete paralysis before the correct diagnosis is made and surgical treatment carried out. RESUME: NOUS etudions trente cas d'abces spinaux epiduraux avec emphase particuliere sur le mode de presentation et le result at du traitement. Malgre de nombreuses requites dans la litterature en faveur d'un diagnostic precoce, les resultats demeurent insatisfaisants pane que plusieurs patients ont deja progresse a une paralysie severe ou complete avant que le diagnostic ne soit fait et que le traitement chirurgical ne soit entrepris.
Spinal epidural abscess: clinical presentation, management, and outcome
Surgical Neurology, 2005
We sought to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with spinal epidural abscess and to relate presentation and treatment to short-term clinical and neurologic outcome. We retrospectively reviewed the records and radiographic images of all patients admitted to our institution with a diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess between January 1995 and March 2001. Thirty males and 18 females were admitted with spinal epidural abscess. Median age was 61 years (range, 31-84). Twenty-three of 48 patients were febrile at presentation and the mean white blood cell (WBC) count was 15.5 (range, 4.0-38.7). Twenty-seven patients presented with motor deficits, 17 with pain alone, 2 with sepsis, 1 with dysphagia, and 1 incidentally on spinal imaging. Intravenous drug abuse was the most common risk factor (13 patients) followed by the presence of nonspinal infection, including endocarditis (10 patients). Blood cultures were positive in 29 patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism cultured from abscesses. Collections were located in the cervical spine in 11 patients, cervicothoracic in 4, thoracic in 7, thoracolumbar in 4, and lumbosacral in 22. One patient harbored both cervical and lumbar epidural abscesses. Twenty-three patients initially received nonoperative therapy with antibiotics alone; 25 underwent urgent surgery. Eleven patients initially treated with antibiotics eventually deteriorated and required delayed surgery. Patients receiving antibiotics suffered a significantly greater number of unfavorable outcomes (clinical deterioration or death) than those in the early surgical group (P < 0.005). Patients with spinal epidural abscess may be normothermic and have normal WBC counts. Urgent surgery was more likely to be offered to patients presenting with neurologic deficits than with pain alone. Patients treated without early surgery were significantly more likely to deteriorate and suffer poor outcomes.
Spinal Epidural Abscess: When a Fast Diagnosis Is Necessary
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine, 2014
A 61 years old man with fatty liver disease and history of recent urinary infection was admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine for severe back pain and fever. The blood culture exams were positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and later the cervical spine MRI showed an anterior epidural abscess associated with medullary compression. The patient was kept under antibiotic therapy and a decompressive surgery was required. Spinal epidural abscess presentation can be subtle with its presenting complaints ranging in severity from nonspecific back pain to marked weakness. This case report highlights the importance of an early diagnosis in order to avoid a devastating outcome.