English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Extensive spinal epidural abscesses (SEAs) carry a high mortality rate. Traditionally they are treated non-operatively with long-term antibiotics and/or surgical decompression, but there is a continuing debate as to whether they should be managed by emergency surgical decompression. However, such decisions are made in the light of the clinical setting. We report the successful management of a female patient who presented with features of upper cervical cord compression and later developed septic shock and multisystem failure. Surgical decompression of the cervical spine and irrigation of the epidural space with a paediatric catheter was performed followed by tricortical strut grafting and plating. At review, 36 weeks after surgery, the patient remained asymptomatic, having made full neurological recovery. The purpose of this report is to highlight the importance of emergency surgical intervention for extensive SEA in the presence of progressive neurological loss associated with multisystem failure.

Surgical decompression: a life-saving procedure for an extensive spinal epidural abscess