title: Early diagnosis of a spinal epidural abscess.
abstract: Epidural abscess is a neurologic emergency. Diagnosis may be difficult and costly to patients and health care providers in terms of time and money expended. We present a case of epidural abscess diagnosed in a cancer patient with an implanted epidural catheter. Diagnostic studies were performed that documented the presence of a spinal epidural abscess. Routine aspiration of an implanted epidural catheter facilitated the early diagnosis of epidural abscess in our patient prior to the performance of these studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hahn
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004824:Epidural Space; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors