title: Cervical epidural abscess mimicking as stroke - report of two cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke is a common provisional diagnosis in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with unilateral neurological deficit. Cervical epidural abscess (CEA) may also present clinically with a unilateral neurological deficit.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To highlight the inherent problems with diagnosing cervical epidural abscess and possible consequences of delay in diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We would like to highlight two cases provisionally diagnosed as stroke. Both cases turned out to be cervical epidural abscesses. The delay in diagnosis and treatment led to suboptimal outcome in both cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cases with suspected stroke who deteriorate while under treatment or whose diagnosis is doubtful should have MRI whole spine in order to avoid potential complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK.
authors.forename: Jagan Mohana Reddy
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Velpula
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK.
authors.forename: Harinder
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gakhar
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK.
authors.forename: Kohilavani
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sigamoney
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby, UK.
authors.forename: Rajendra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bommireddy
keywords: Discitis; cervical epidural abscess.; stroke