title: Cervicothoracolumbar spinal epidural abscess with tetraparesis. Good recovery after non-surgical treatment with antibiotics and dexamethasone. Case report and review of the literature.
abstract: We report the conservative treatment of a spinal epidural abscess (SEA) caused by escherichia coli and affecting the anterior epidural space from C2 to L4 in a diabetic, obese patient presenting with tetraparesis. The favourable clinical response to the administration of dexamethasone and antibiotics is described. We review the literature on non-surgical treatment of SEA with special regard to the use of corticosteroids.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Neurosurgery. Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII. Tarragona.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wessling
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de las Heras
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone