title: A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-positive holospinal epidural abscess.
abstract: Spinal epidural abscess is a rare debilitating disease that if left untreated may result in serious morbidity and mortality. Most cases involve the level of 3 or 4 vertebrae, but in very rare cases may affect the whole spine. The most common pathogen found in spinal abscesses is Staphylococcus aureus, which involves approximately two thirds of cases. The recent introduction of methicillin-resistant strains of S aureus has left physicians with the challenging task of identifying and treating this serious condition.We present the only case reported of a methicillin-resistant S aureus holospinal epidural abscess with subsequent neurological follow-up over a 1-year period.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA. jgorchyn@msn.com
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Gorchynski
authors: Joe
authors: J
authors: Hwang
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: McLaughlin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000382:microbiology*; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D010291:Paresis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery