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PubMedDate not supplied

Pott's puffy tumor, frontal sinusitis, frontal bone osteomyelitis, and epidural abscess secondary to a wrestling injury.

A blow sustained to the head while wrestling may produce frontal osteomyelitis and its complications, Pott's puffy tumor and epidural abscess. The symptoms may be minimal and may be manifested only by a mild headache and occasional stuffy nose. A 16-year-old boy was studied one month after a head injury sustained while wrestling, complaining only of recurrent headaches and fever. A fluctuant mass was found in the midfrontal area. Frontal sinusitis, subperiosteal abscesss epidural abscess, and frontal osteomyelitis were found at surgery. The frontal bone involved by the osteomyelitis was debrided, and the epidural abscess was evacuated.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Non-surgical treatment of spinal epidural abscesses: report of one case].

Spinal epidural abscesses (SEA) are uncommon in children. This paper reported a two-year-old boy who was noted to have neck stiffness, with local tenderness posteriorly. Bacterial meningitis was suspected initially in terms of the finding of the cerebral spinal fluid; antibiotics were prescribed. Three days later another spinal tap was performed because of persistent high fever and irritability. A pus-like material drained out as the needle punctured into the spinal region. A magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan of the spine revealed a SEA, with extensive involvement from the second cervical spine to the lumbosacral spine region. Culture of the pus, as well as the blood and CSF, were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Because of extensive involvement of the spinal epidural space, the patient was again given antibiotics: Prostaphllin and Amikin intravenously for six weeks instead of laminectomy. Then the oral antibiotic (Keflex) was given to the patient for another three months after the boy was discharged from the hospital. A review of the literature shows the incidence of SEA to be increasing and the bacterial spectra to be broadening because of increasing use of immunosuppressing drugs or antibiotics, and the increase in numbers of immunecompromised patient. The clinical symptoms and signs of the SEA were non-specific, but SEA can be early diagnosed by computurized tomography (CT) scan or MRI scan with caution. The literature suggests that, if the patient's condition fits the criteria for non-surgical treatment, antibiotic therapy is the first choice for preventing the complication of spinal deformity, especially in children.

Abscess↗
PubMed1981

Spinal epidural abscess in children.

This is a report of three children with spinal epidural abscess. The literature is reviewed and the features of this condition in children are noted. Because of the nonspecificity of presenting symptoms in children, the diagnosis may be delayed, resulting in a worse outcome, especially in children under 1 year of age. The extensive laminectomy advised for the treatment of spinal epidural abscesses in adults is undesirable in children because of the risk of spinal deformity and in most cases is probably not necessary.

Abscess↗
PubMed1987

Spinal epidural abscess. Report of two cases.

The case histories of two patients with an acute spinal epidural abscess are reported. When presented with a patient suffering from a spinal cord syndrome, the physician must keep in mind the possibility of a spinal epidural abscess. A rapid diagnostic procedure, prompt laminectomy, and medical treatment are particularly essential to total recovery in such cases.

Abscess↗
PubMed2001

Spontaneous spinal epidural abscess in a neonate. With a review of the literature.

Spinal epidural abscess is uncommon in neonates and infants, and is usually related to previous lumbar puncture or epidural anaesthesia. Diagnosis is often delayed because of the non-specific presentation. We present a 7-week-old girl who developed paraplegia 3 weeks after transient fever and a self-limiting skin rash. MR imaging revealed an epidural contrast-enhancing lesion compressing the spinal cord. At operation, an organised granulated abscess was identified with Staphylococcus aureus the causative organism. Laminectomy and removal of the organised abscess and systemic intravenous antibiotics resulted in complete neurological recovery. The patient did not develop late spinal deformity following the decompressive laminectomy. The rapid onset of paraplegia can often be missed in such a young child but should be promptly investigated, as surgical treatment of cord compression carries an excellent prognosis for neurological recovery. We review the literature on the initial presentation, usual investigations, causative organisms and surgical management of paediatric spinal epidural abscesses.

Epidural Abscess↗
PubMed1988

The pathogenesis of spinal epidural abscess: microangiographic studies in an experimental model.

An experimental model of spinal epidural abscess was developed in rabbits by injecting Staphylococcus aureus into the posterior thoracolumbar epidural space. This model has been shown to reproduce the neurological, bacteriological, and radiological aspects of the human disease. In this study, the effect of the infectious epidural mass on the vasculature of the spinal cord in paraplegic rabbits was studied using microangiographic techniques. The normal vascular anatomy of the rabbit spinal cord was defined in control experiments. Vascular proliferation was demonstrated in the epidural space surrounding the abscesses. Anterior and paired posterior spinal arteries remained patent in paraplegic rabbits with mild or moderate spinal cord compression and in some cases of severe compression. In animals with severe compression, the anterior epidural venous plexus remained patent, but the dorsal spinal vein was occluded. Occlusion of perforating arteries occurred only with extreme spinal cord compression. These data indicate that the initial neurological deficit associated with experimental spinal epidural abscess is not due to vascular thrombosis.

Abscess↗
PubMed2005

Spinal epidural abscess complicating chemotherapy in patients with leukemia.

The authors reviewed the basic facts about infections that complicate chemotherapy, and found that a difference exists between those that are medically treated, for which several standard protocols have been adopted, and infections amenable to surgical treatment, such as spinal epidural abscess, which are managed according to the experience at individual institutions. The authors believe that patients with leukemia who manifest a spinal epidural abscess should always be surgically treated when the infection occurs between the induction and remission phases, whereas medical treatment options can be considered for spinal epidural abscesses occurring at the end of the chemotherapy course.

Epidural Abscess↗
PubMed2005

Candida spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess: management with shorter courses of anti-fungal therapy in combination with surgical debridement.

Epidural abscess associated with candidal spondylodiscitis is rarely seen, particularly when it involves the cervical and thoracic spine. We report two such cases that were successfully managed with early surgical debridement, as well as medical therapy with intravenous amphotericin followed by oral fluconazole. The literature related to candidal spinal infection is reviewed, and a rational approach to the management of this uncommon condition is proposed. A good outcome may generally be expected with early diagnosis as well as appropriate surgical and pharmacological treatment. Oral fluconazole appears to be useful in the management of candida spondylodiscitis complicated by epidural abscess formation. Treatment until a normal ESR is attained is ideal, and this may be as short as 3 months when surgical drainage has been adequately performed.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Spinal epidural abscess secondary to pharyngeal trauma due to food].

INTRODUCTION: In recent years the incidence of spinal epidural abscesses has increased. Early diagnosis is very important, since once neurological deficit has become established this is often permanent. The commonest aetiological agent is Staphylococcus. Pain and fever are often the only symptoms before acute neurological deterioration. CASE REPORT: A 76 year old hypersensitive, diabetic man presented complaining of pain and a sensation of warmth in both arms. He had no fever or other symptoms. Some three weeks before admission to hospital a fish bone had become stuck in his pharynx, causing a purulent lesion there. This was treated with antibiotics. Cervical MR showed a mass at the level of C4 C5, compatible with epidural abscess. Following drainage and antibiotic treatment he recovered, with no sequelas. Staphylococcus was isolated from the purulent fluid. CONCLUSIONS: The possibility of epidural infection must be remembered in patients with fever and nerve root pain. Early diagnosis and suitable treatment, combining both surgery and prolonged treatment with antibiotics, are essential to prevent permanent neurological damage.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Multiple spinal epidural abscesses extending to the whole spinal canal.

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare life-threatening disease mostly affecting patients with an altered immune system. It presents as a sequela of adjacent infection or hematogenous spread. MRI is the method of choice in evaluating patients with suspected SEAs and should always include the whole spinal canal, excluding the exceedingly rare possibility of multiple epidural collections. We present a rare case of a patient with no predisposing factors suffering from multiple SEAs, extending to the whole spinal canal.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Case report: spinal epidural abscess from Klebsiella pneumoniae.

We report a rare case of cervical spinal epidural abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae. While the most likely pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus, 2.5% of CNS infections have been attributed to Klebsiella pneumoniae. The source of infection in this case is suspected to be from cervical vertebra osteomyelitis/discitis that expanded to epidural space. Prompt drainage of the abscess by decompression with debridement is the key of management that is shown to decrease morbidity and mortality in epidural abscess patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Tuberculous osteomyelitis of the lumbosacral region: a spinal epidural abscess with presacral extension.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculous osteomyelitis in the lumbosacral region is an uncommon occurrence, and its treatment is not well-defined in the literature, particularly when it is associated with abscess formation. We present the outcome of a patient who had an epidural abscess with presacral extension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 30-year-old man had microbiologically confirmed tuberculous infection of the lumbosacral vertebrae complicated by extensive abscess formation. After a trial of chemotherapy, the infection proved refractory, and the treatment proceeded with abscess drainage through the anterior route. RESULTS: Approximately 1 year after surgery, the patient was symptom-free and did not show any significant radiologic changes. CONCLUSION: Antituberculous chemotherapy combined with anterior surgery seems to be beneficial in the setting of lumbosacral osteomyelitis complicated by epidural abscess formation with presacral extension.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Spinal epidural abscess: prognostic factors and comparison of different surgical treatment strategies.

BACKGROUND: Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare but potentially devastating disease requiring immediate surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic treatment. The standard approach to decompress SEA is laminectomy. No report covers comprehensively the indications for the less invasive interlaminar approach, the usefulness of intra-operative ultrasonography and the suspected benefit of inserting a suction-irrigation drainage. METHOD: A retrospective evaluation of the medical and radiological data was undertaken in 27 consecutive patients with SEA operated on during a period of 10 years by a dorsal approach. Factors influencing outcome were evaluated with special regard to different surgical strategies concerning the invasiveness of the operative approach, the use of intra-operative ultrasound and the use of different drainage systems. FINDINGS: Outcome was mainly determined by the pre-operative neurological condition and the localization of the abscess. Recurrence rate was dependent on the longitudinal extent of the mass and the intra-operative finding of granulation tissue, but not on the administration of a postoperative suction-irrigation drainage. An interlaminar approach was equally matched to a decompression by laminectomy in lumbar SEA concerning the incidence of residual/recurrent abscess formation. In concomitant spondylodiscitis, laminectomy bore the risk of the formation of a postoperative kyphotic deformity. The use of intra-operative ultrasound allowed the visualization of hidden inflammatory masses and, thus, reduced the rate of residual abscess formation. CONCLUSION: An interlaminar approach should be considered instead of laminectomy in lumbar SEA and in impending anterior column instability due to spondylitis. Intra-operative ultrasound is a beneficial aid for the determination of the extent of decompression during surgery and is practicable even through a narrow interlaminar bony window. The insertion of postoperative suction-irrigation drainage had no beneficial effect on outcome but bore the risk of epidural fluid congestion.

Adolescent↗