title: Spinal abscess: a case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spinal abscess is a rare but potentially devastating condition. We present a case series, looking into its presentation, risk factors, management and outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients over a 10 year period were identified, with a discharge diagnosis code of 'spinal abscess, 324.1' from the hospital computer database.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four out of five patients presented atypically. Prognosis corresponded to early diagnosis and surgical decompression. Risk factors included intravenous drug abuse, a compromised immune system and infection in another organ system. Magnetic resonance imaging was an important diagnostic tool for all.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The early diagnosis and immediate surgical treatment of spinal abscesses remain cornerstones in improving the outcomes of the disease. From our series, risk factor assessment appear to be more useful than the classical triad of fever, spine pain and neurological deficits to screen ED patients with spine pain for spinal abscess.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Changi General Hospital, Singapore. camlyn_tan@cgh.com.sg
authors.forename: Camlyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Wan Lin
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Siang Hiong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Goh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome