title: Rapidly Progressive Gas-containing Lumbar Spinal Epidural Abscess.
abstract: Gas-containing (emphysematous) infections of the abdomen, pelvis, and extremities are well-known disease entities, which can potentially be life-threatening. They require aggressive medical and often surgical treatment. In the neurosurgical field, some cases of gas-containing brain abscess and subdural empyema have been reported. Sometimes they progress rapidly and even can cause fatal outcome. However, gas-containing spinal epidural abscess has been rarely reported and clinical course is unknown. We report on a case of rapidly progressive gas-containing lumbar spinal epidural abscess due to Enterococcus faecalis in a 72-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea and Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea and Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Keun-Tae
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Cho
keywords: Enterococcus faecalis; Epidural abscess; Spine