title: [Streptococcus milleri subacute spinal cord abscess. Apropos of a case].
abstract: Since 1830, more than eighty cases of spinal cord abscesses have been reported. In half of these cases, it was unfortunately a post-mortem diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) now gives new possibilities in the diagnosis and treatment of this rare pathology. We report here a case of cervical spinal cord abscess due to Streptococcus milleri. The clinical and laboratory findings, the MRI features, the pathogenicity of the offending pathogen and the surgical approach are discussed and compared with the data from the literature. The functional course was unexpectedly favourable in this patient. MRI allows prompt diagnosis and a precise localisation of the suspected abscess. Rapid surgical drainage is a critical prognostic factor for effective management of spinal cord abscess.
authors.affiliation: p6rvice de Neurochirurgie, Cliniques Universitatres UCL de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgique.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lahdou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gilliard
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: de Coene
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vandercam
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Deltombe
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hanson
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D010406:Penicillins
vernacular_title: Abcès médullaire subaigu à Streptococcus milleri. A propos d'un cas.