•  
  •  
 

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Translated Title

急性脊椎硬膜外膿瘍之處理：二例報告

Abstract

Within a period of 8 months, we encountered 2 cases of spinal epidural abscess. The site of abscess and causative organism were lumbar spine with E. coli and thoracic spine with S. aureus respectively. The clinical courses of both cases did not follow the four phases described in literature for an epidural abscess. Spiking fever and chillness were the only prominent signs observed initially and back pain was not the chief complaint. However, neurological deterioration with urinary retention and paraplegia progressed rapidly. The time interval between onset of symptoms and appearance of paraplegia was 4 and 7 days for case 1 and 2 respectively.Our data of peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid were similar to those reported. Due to the rapid progression of the clinical condition,myelography and computerized tomography were performed in both cases. The results showed good visualization of the site of the epidural compression by the abscess. Therapeutically,emergent laminectomy and drainage of abscess were performed after the diagnosis was certain. Postoperatively both patients recovered satisfactorily. Our purpose to report here is to remind readers of the existence of this potentially crippling,but treatable disease. We further plead for early diagnosis and prompt surgical management in order to achieve a better outcome for the patient.

Language

English

First Page

201

Last Page

207

Download

Share

COinS