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.
Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Center for Burn Care, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
Eric J
EJ
Thorpe
John P
JP
McCallin
Sidney F
SF
Miller
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