title: Spinal epidural abscess: a diagnostic challenge.
abstract: Epidural abscess of the spinal column is a rare condition that can be fatal if left untreated. Risk factors for epidural abscess include immunocompromised states such as diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, cancer, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, as well as spinal procedures including epidural anesthesia and spinal surgery. The signs and symptoms of epidural abscess are nonspecific and can range from low back pain to sepsis. The treatment of choice in most patients is surgical decompression followed by four to six weeks of antibiotic therapy. Nonsurgical treatment may be appropriate in selected patients. The most common causative organism in spinal epidural abscess is Staphylococcus aureus. Spinal epidural abscess involving actinomycosis is rare.
authors: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, E A Conway Hospital, Department of Family Medicine, Monroe 71210-1881, USA. dchao@lsuhsc.edu
authors: Deardre
authors: D
authors: Chao
authors: Anil
authors: A
authors: Nanda
mesh_terms: D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery