Analysis Of 13 Spinal Epidural Abscess And Review Of Literature

Objective To explore the diagnosis and management of spinal epidural abscess.Method To summarize and analysis the 13 cases diagnosed both pathologically and clinically during February 2002 to August 2010 in Second Affiliated Hospital of medical college, Zhejiang University.Result The median age is 42-year-old and the median course is 25 days. Fever, back pain and neurologic deficit are the three most common symptoms. All patients had a spinal magnetic resonance, we observed T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense images, which is reinforced by the contrast media injedtin. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism cultured from abscesses. Twelve patients underwent surgery, only one patient treated with antibiotics alone. Patients improved greatly after treatment.Conclusion Spinal epidural abscess is a rare disease. Suspected patient should take enhanced-MRI examination timely. Once diagnosis is made, early surgery should be considered.