title: Spinal empyema in Crohn's disease.
abstract: A 19-year-old man with a 1-year history of Crohn's disease of the ileum and rectosigmoid developed back and leg pain with neurological deficits. He proved to have an epidural and subdural spinal empyema originating from a rectal fistula. Drainage of the empyema, a diverting sigmoid colostomy, and appropriate antibiotics allowed full recovery of neurologic function and resolution of infection. We review the applicable literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital, Connecticut 06610.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hershkowitz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Link
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ravden
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lipow
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003092:Colitis / Q000150:complications; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications*; D013354:Empyema, Subdural / Q000209:etiology*; D004824:Epidural Space; D006801:Humans; D007079:Ileitis / Q000150:complications; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000150:complications