Cervical epidural abscess in an afebrile patient: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to discuss a case of cervical epidural abscess and present the clinical features and diagnosis of this disorder.


METHODS
A 52-year-old man had severe neck pain for 1 week. He had a long history of chronic recurrent neck pain, including 2 previous neck surgeries. He was afebrile on each visit, but developed rapid onset of motor loss, which necessitated immediate magnetic resonance imaging referral. The patient died in the magnetic resonance imaging tube.


RESULTS
Because of the aggressive nature of the infection, causing death only 1 week after the initial onset of symptoms, there was no opportunity to institute treatment of the abscess.


CONCLUSIONS
Spinal epidural abscess is a relatively rare but potentially life-threatening disorder in which the most common initial symptom is spinal pain. Because of this, patients with early spinal epidural abscess will often consult a chiropractic physician or other primary contact spine specialist. It is important for clinicians to be alert to the diagnostic features of spinal epidural abscess so that early treatment can be instituted.
Murphy
Donald R
DR
Rhode Island Spine Center, Providence, RI 02860, USA. rispine@aol.com
Morris
Nicholas J
NJ
D001831:Body Temperature; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D009333:Neck; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index