TITLE:
Spinal Epidural Abscess: When a Fast Diagnosis Is Necessary
AUTHORS:
Joana Cosme, Joana Branco, Hermana Carneiro, Gheorghe Diviza, Carlos Chagas, Emília Velhinho, Glória Silva
KEYWORDS:
Spinal Epidural Abscess, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Early Diagnosis
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.3 No.12,
December
25,
2014
ABSTRACT: A 61 years old man with fatty liver disease and history of recent urinary infection was admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine for severe back pain and fever. The blood culture exams were positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and later the cervical spine MRI showed an anterior epidural abscess associated with medullary compression. The patient was kept under antibiotic therapy and a decompressive surgery was required. Spinal epidural abscess presentation can be subtle with its presenting complaints ranging in severity from nonspecific back pain to marked weakness. This case report highlights the importance of an early diagnosis in order to avoid a devastating outcome.