title: MR imaging appearances of cervical epidural abscess.
abstract: Epidural abscess of the cervical spine is an uncommon disorder. The presentation is often non-specific and the diagnosis unsuspected. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is now considered the imaging investigation of choice. We report six patients with cervical epidural abscess diagnosed on MR imaging. The MR imaging showed the abscess to have a variable appearance and enhancement characteristics. Follow-up MR examinations confirmed resolution of the abscess and, in five cases, allowed conservative management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: St Clair Forbes
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McKenna
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000473:pathology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000473:pathology*