title: Spinal epidural abscess with myelitis and meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in a young child.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) in children is a rare infectious emergency warranting prompt intervention. Predisposing factors include immunosuppression, spinal procedures, and local site infections such as vertebral osteomyelitis and paraspinal abscess. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common isolate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report and literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 2.5-year-old boy with tetraparesis was found to have an SEA in the posterior lumbar epidural space with evidence of meningitis and myelitis on MRI spine in the absence of any local or systemic predisposing factors or spinal procedures. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from the evacuated pus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Definitive treatment of SEA is a combination of surgical decompression and iv antibiotics. Timely management limits the extent of neurological deficit.
authors.affiliation: Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, India. drmalvikab@gmail.com
authors.forename: Malobika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: Neha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joshi
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D009187:Myelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000472:pathogenicity*