Cervicothoracolumbar spinal epidural abscess with tetraparesis. Good recovery after non-surgical treatment with antibiotics and dexamethasone. Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

We report the conservative treatment of a spinal epidural abscess (SEA) caused by escherichia coli and affecting the anterior epidural space from C2 to L4 in a diabetic, obese patient presenting with tetraparesis. The favourable clinical response to the administration of dexamethasone and antibiotics is described. We review the literature on non-surgical treatment of SEA with special regard to the use of corticosteroids.