Spinal Epidural Abscess

Excerpt

A spinal epidural abscess(SEA) is a suppurative central nervous system infection involving the space between the spinal dura and vertebral periosteum. Giovanni Morgagni first described SEA in 1761. Although classically, patients with spinal epidural abscesses present with midline back pain, fever, and neurologic deficits, presentations of this disease process can be highly variable. A spinal epidural abscess is difficult to diagnose if clinical suspicion is not high. When left untreated spinal epidural abscess can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Thus any clinical concern for this diagnosis requires prompt evaluation and treatment. Diagnosing and managing spinal epidural abscesses are greatly aided by the advent of modern radiological techniques, including computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).