Abstract
Spinal epidural abscesses are difficult to diagnose and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. A 61-year-old Chinese woman fell and was admitted 5 days later with constant epigastric pain and constipation. Clinical examination was initially normal. Five days after admission, she developed urinary retention and mild lower limb weakness, progressing overnight to paraplegia. Clinical examination was consistent with a thoracic myelopathy. Neuroimaging showed a paracentral fluid collection compressing the thoracic cord at T8 level. Emergent neurosurgical intervention revealed an epidural abscess, which was drained. She responded to a 9-week course of antibiotics and recovered fully. Radicular pain from thoracic pathology can mimic intraabdominal pathology, and a high index of suspicion and prompt surgical intervention are essential to avoid the potentially devastating consequences of delayed recognition of epidural abscesses.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
