Long Level (T4-L1) Spinal Epidural Abscess in a Diabetic Patient: A Case Report.
- Author:
Dae Woo HWANG
1
;
Churl Woo LEE
;
Hee Tae NAM
;
Byoung Min KIM
;
Hee Joon CHOI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Spinal epidural abscess; Diabetics; Multilevel laminectomy
- MeSH: Anesthesia; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Decompression; Drainage; Drug Users; Epidural Abscess; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Lower Extremity; Neurologic Manifestations; Paralysis; Pregnant Women; Sepsis; Suppuration
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2008;2(1):55-58
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Spinal epidural abscesses are uncommon, but potentially devastating and often fatal. They can be found in normal patients, but they are more prevalent in immunocompromised patients, such as intravenous drug users, diabetics, chronic renal failure patients, pregnant women, and others. Timely diagnosis and treatment are the keys to optimizing outcome. Traditionally, treatment has comprised parenteral antibiotics and possible surgical intervention, such as decompression by pus drainage. We treated a long level (T4-L1) epidural abscess in a diabetic patient who had to undergo emergent long level decompression and drainage due to complete paralysis of the lower extremities and progression of neurologic deficit toward the upper thoracic level. Although lower extremity paralysis has not improved, the patient has completely recovered from lower extremity anesthesia. Further follow-up was not done because the patient expired due to sepsis eight month after surgery.
