Pressure necrosis masquerading as a burn injury in a patient with a cervical epidural abscess producing acute quadriplegia.
A case of a patient with acute onset of quadriplegia from a cervical epidural abscess referred to our tertiary burn center is presented. The pattern of the patient's 'burns' suggested pressure necrosis. A literature review was undertaken of this unusual condition, its evaluation and management. Cervical epidural abscesses are rare and present in a variety of ways. Acute onset of quadriplegia without a history of trauma should trigger a workup to make the diagnosis. The management of complicating skin lesions or burns and the patient outcome will primarily be determined by the management of the epidural abscess.
Thorpe
Eric J
EJ
Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Center for Burn Care, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
McCallin
John P
JP
Miller
Sidney F
SF
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification