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Case Reports
. 2017 Nov 8:2017:bcr2017222019.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-222019.

Spinal epidural empyema extending from a pleural empyema: case description and anatomical overview

Gabriel Torrealba Acosta  1 , Sylvia Josephy Hernández  2 , Gabriel Castro Ulloa  3 , Greivin Rodríguez Rojas  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Spinal epidural empyema extending from a pleural empyema: case description and anatomical overview

Gabriel Torrealba Acosta et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

We present a case of a patient with diabetes with a pleural empyema originated from a pyomyositis process established after a central line procedure. This empyema later on extended into the spinal canal deriving into an epidural empyema, leading towards a spinal neurogenic shock and death. We discuss the anatomical substrate for this extension as well as the anatomopathological findings observed in the autopsy.

Keywords: Infection (neurology); Neurological Injury; Neurosurgery; Pathology; Spinal Cord.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Thoracic CT scan (A) axial and (B) sagittal cuts showing pectoralis major pyomyositis (long arrows) and pleural empyema (short arrows) contacting the thoracic vertebrae.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The opening of thoracic cavity during autopsy disclosed a purulent collection in (A) the upper sternum and left upper ribs, extending into (B and C) the medullary canal.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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