Spinal epidural abscess: presentation and treatment. A report of 21 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the presentation, investigative findings, treatment and outcome in patients with spinal epidural abscess.


METHODS
The study was a retrospective analysis of all patients with this condition presenting to the Neurosurgical Units at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Westmead Hospital, Sydney, during the period September 1984 to September 1987.


METHODS
There was a total of 21 patients with an age range from 7-87 years (mean 47 years). Eleven cases were acute and ten chronic. The causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus in 15 of the 21 cases, the other organisms involved were Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.


METHODS
All patients were treated with a combination of surgery (decompression with or without fusion) and prolonged antibiotic administration.


RESULTS
Of the 21 patients 11 had a good to excellent outcome while 10 had a poor outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
The main determinant of outcome was the neurological state at presentation emphasising the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
McGee-Collett
M
M
Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW.
Johnston
I H
IH
D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004824:Epidural Space; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents