title: [Spinal epidural abscesses are rare and warrant fast intervention].
abstract: A spinal epidural abscess is a rare infectious disease that warrants urgent treatment. Symptoms involve a classic triad of fever, backache and neurological deficits but all the symptoms are rarely seen at the first contact. The low incidence and the non-specific symptoms can delay the diagnosis, resulting in grave neurological sequelae and death. Common risk factors are diabetes mellitus and intravenous drug abuse. Successful treatment relies on a multidisciplinary approach. We describe a case of spinal epidural abscesses in a previously healthy young man without known risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Forskningscenter for Forebyggelse og Sundhed, Glostrup Hospital, Ndr. Ringvej 57, 2600 Glostrup. tea.skaaby.01@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Tea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Skaaby
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: Ulrik Bak
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Dragsted
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D020802:Epidural Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents