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.
Highlights
Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare pyogenic infectious disease with a potentially devastating outcome, located between the spinal dura mater and the vertebral periosteum [1] [2].It was first described by Morgagni in 1761 but it was clearly defined only in 1820 by Bergamaschi [2]
It occurs in patients from 10 days to 87 years, with most cases occurring in those 30 - 60 years old [1]
The learning point from this case is the need for early diagnosis and urgent intervention
Summary
Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare pyogenic infectious disease with a potentially devastating outcome, located between the spinal dura mater and the vertebral periosteum [1] [2]. It was first described by Morgagni in 1761 but it was clearly defined only in 1820 by Bergamaschi [2]. It occurs in patients from 10 days to 87 years, with most cases occurring in those 30 - 60 years old [1]. We empathize the importance of a fast diagnosis in avoiding a devastating outcome
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