Open AccessA case of panspinal epidural abscess that presented with meningeal irritation
Author(s) -
Okada Naoki,
Nishiyama Takashi,
Kurihara Maki,
Nishimura Yusuke,
Nishimura Yoshiro,
Ando Yukihiro,
Otsubo Saori,
Yamada Katsumi,
Maeda Yuji
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acute medicine and surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2052-8817
DOI - 10.1002/ams2.294
Subject(s) - medicine , epidural abscess , surgery , abscess , meningitis , magnetic resonance imaging , sepsis , lumbar , anesthesia , radiology
Case In rare cases, spinal epidural abscess involves the entire spine and can lead to neurological deficits and sepsis if treatment is delayed or suboptimal. A 65‐year‐old man was admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. After admission, magnetic resonance imaging showed a spinal epidural abscess from the cervical to lumbar spine. Blood culture revealed Staphylococcus aureus . The patient was initially treated medically because he had no neurological deficits. Repeat blood culture remained positive and abscesses were found in the mediastinum and bilateral psoas muscles. Outcome Surgery was carried out and the patient's postoperative course was satisfactory. Conclusion Spinal epidural abscess can extensively affect the spine and may present with the symptoms of bacterial meningitis. It is essential to examine the entire spine and paraspinal regions and to treat early in cases of spinal epidural abscess.