Spinal epidural abscess: Difference between revisions

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*Fungal or parasitic (1%)
*Fungal or parasitic (1%)
*Unknown (6%)
*Unknown (6%)
*[[Tuberculosis]], in endemic countries


=== Etiologies ===
=== Etiologies ===
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* Injection drug use (10%)
* Injection drug use (10%)
* Other sources including epidural catheters (8%)
* Other sources including epidural catheters (8%)
* Bone and joint infections (7%)
* Bone and joint infections (7%), including decubitus ulcers
* Urinary tract (3%)
* Urinary tract (3%)
* Upper respiratory tract (3%)
* Upper respiratory tract (3%)
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* Abdomen (2%)
* Abdomen (2%)
* Intravascular catheter (<1%)
* Intravascular catheter (<1%)

=== Risk Factors ===

* [[Diabetes mellitus]] (present in 50%)
* Injection drug use
* Spinal surgery or procedure


==Clinical Manifestations==
==Clinical Manifestations==
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*Intravenous antibiotics, ideally after blood cultures are drawn
*Intravenous antibiotics, ideally after blood cultures are drawn
*Typical empiric antibiotics are [[Is treated by::ceftriaxone]] and [[Is treated by::vancomycin]]
*Typical empiric antibiotics are [[Is treated by::ceftriaxone]] and [[Is treated by::vancomycin]]
*Duration typically 6 to 8 weeks after source control
*Patients treated non-operatively may need to have antibiotics continued to radiographic resolution of the abscess


[[Category:CNS infections]]
[[Category:CNS infections]]

Latest revision as of 03:03, 10 December 2021

Background

  • Infection of the epidural space, between the dura mater and bone, in the spine
  • Acquired from contiguous spread (e.g. discitis, otitis media/sinusitis/mastoiditis, direct inoculation (e.g. spinal anaesthesia or neurosurgery), or hematogenous spread
  • Risk factors include intravenous drug use, hemodialysis, diabetes mellitus, and older age

Microbiology

Etiologies

  • Idiopathic (30%)
  • Skin and soft tissue infection (22%)
  • Spinal surgery or procedure (12%)
  • Injection drug use (10%)
  • Other sources including epidural catheters (8%)
  • Bone and joint infections (7%), including decubitus ulcers
  • Urinary tract (3%)
  • Upper respiratory tract (3%)
  • Sepsis (2%)
  • Abdomen (2%)
  • Intravascular catheter (<1%)

Risk Factors

Clinical Manifestations

  • Severe low-back pain often worse with palpation
  • Fever
  • Malaise
  • Neurologic deficits associated with mass effect on spinal cord, interruption of arterial supply, venous thrombosis, or toxin

Staging of Spinal Epidural Abscess

  • Stage 1: back pain at the level of the affected spine
  • Stage 2: nerve-root pain radiating from the involved spinal area
  • Stage 3: motor weakness, sensory deficit, and bladder and bowel dysfunction
  • Stage 4: paralysis

Diagnosis

  • Usually made by MRI (or CT with contrast)
  • Blood cultures may be helpful
  • Cultures from the abscess fluid, if possible

Management

  • May need urgent neurosurgical drainage if neurological symptoms
  • Intravenous antibiotics, ideally after blood cultures are drawn
  • Typical empiric antibiotics are ceftriaxone and vancomycin
  • Duration typically 6 to 8 weeks after source control
  • Patients treated non-operatively may need to have antibiotics continued to radiographic resolution of the abscess