title: Spinal epidural empyema in two dogs.
abstract: Extensive, diffuse, epidural spinal cord compression was visualized myelographically in two dogs presented for rapid development of nonambulatory tetraparesis and paraplegia, respectively. Purulent fluid containing bacterial organisms was aspirated percutaneously under fluoroscopic guidance from the epidural space of each dog. One dog responded poorly to aggressive medical therapy, which included installation of an epidural lavage and drainage system. Both dogs were euthanized due to the severe nature of their disorder and the poor prognosis. Spinal epidural empyema (i.e., abscess) is a rare condition in humans and has not been reported previously in the veterinary literature. Spinal epidural empyema should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with painful myelopathies, especially when accompanied by fever.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Dewey
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kortz
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000662:veterinary; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D004285:Dogs; D004653:Empyema / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D005334:Fever / Q000662:veterinary; D006941:Hyperesthesia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009192:Myelography / Q000662:veterinary; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011379:Prognosis; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary