Spinal epidural abscess: the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To remind clinicians of the dangers of delayed diagnosis and the importance of early treatment of spinal epidural abscess.


METHODS
A review of the literature on spinal epidural abscess and a comparison of the published literature with local experience.


RESULTS
Imaging with MRI or CT enables early diagnosis of spinal epidural abcess and optimal therapy is surgical evacuation combined with 6-12 weeks (median 8 weeks) of antimicrobial chemotherapy. Clinical features are fever, pain, and focal neurological signs and may be associated with preceding and pre-existing bone or joint disease. The commonest aetiological organism is S aureus.


CONCLUSIONS
Early diagnosis and appropriate early antimicrobial chemotherapy with surgery is associated with an excellent prognosis.
The Infection Unit, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, UK.
A R
AR
Mackenzie
R B
RB
Laing
C C
CC
Smith
G F
GF
Kaar
F W
FW
Smith
D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents