title: Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess.
abstract: In 3 patients with epidural abscess, 2 in the cervical spine and 1 in the lumbar spine the definite diagnosis was established by magnetic resonance imaging (MR). In 1 patient computerized tomography was performed but the correct diagnosis was revealed only by MR. The infections were all acute and due to Staphylococcus aureus organisms. One patient developed a tetraparesis on the third day, before the diagnosis was established or antibiotic treatment initiated. The other 2 showed only minor and passing neurologic deficits. None was subjected to laminectomy. In 2 cases the diagnosis was confirmed by puncture. None of the patients had a preceding trauma or a known focus for the staphylococcal infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Lund, University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erntell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holtås
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Norlin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dahlquist
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nilsson-Ehle
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004824:Epidural Space; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents