title: Chronic spinal cord abscess in an elderly patient.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spinal cord abscesses are rare. Acute lesions may present as spinal cord syndrome with back pain and fever, whereas chronic abscesses tend to have a less specific symptomatology, especially in elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report and review of the pertinent literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 82-year old male with diabetes mellitus presented with a four-month history of backache and some difficulty walking without sphincter disturbance or fever. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging revealed a midthoracic intramedullary ring-like lesion that proved to be an abscess. Corticosteroids, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin were given. The abscess resolved after three months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Classically, treatment of intramedullary abscesses involves surgical drainage of the abscess cavity and administration of appropriate antibiotics, although medical therapy alone may be appropriate in some cases. If the diagnosis is unclear or patients do not respond to medical management, surgical decompression should be performed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco. akhaddar@hotmail.fr
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akhaddar
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Boulahroud
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boucetta
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009187:Myelitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D002939:Ciprofloxacin