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PubMed1981

Acute osteomyelitis of the spine with paraplegia.

A case is reported of acute osteomyelitis of the lumbar spine presenting with a psoas abscess which extended into the epidural space mimicking an epidural abscess. The patient also had severe septicaemia and a complete cauda equina lesion. The septicaemia was controlled by draining the abscess by an anterior approach to the lumbar spine. Decompression of the cord was achieved by removing the sequestrated discs, the necrotic body of the fourth lumbar vertebra and draining the epidural abscess by opening the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Diabetes Complications↗
PubMed1986

Vertebral osteomyelitis. The surgical management of neurologic complications.

Twelve patients with neurologic complications of vertebral osteomyelitis are reported. Initial symptoms were due to diffuse intraspinal abscesses (epidural or subdural) in six patients and to kyphotic deformities in three. A localized anterior subligamentous abscess was found in one patient and a similar abscess with kyphosis in one. Kyphosis and diffuse epidural abscess were found in one patient. Operations were designed to relieve cord compression and maintain or improve spinal stability. Outcome was good in eight patients and poor in two; two patients died. Delayed neurologic deterioration after laminectomy occurred in two patients who presented with epidural abscess and minimal signs of osteomyelitis due to subsequent development of anterior abscess and spinal deformity. Therapy of this problem is discussed, with emphasis on choice of technique for neural decompression. Adequate decompression with attention to stability will yield a good result in the majority of cases.

Abscess↗
PubMed2002

Severe low back pain due to retroperitoneal abscess formation in diabetic patients.

We report two cases of diabetic patients with severe low back pain associated with retroperitoneal abscesses. In the first case, multiple retroperitoneal and spinal epidural abscesses were detected. Paraplegia due to the spinal epidural abscess was not relieved by drainage of the abscess and subsequent antibiotic therapy. In the second case, drainage of the retroperitoneal abscess and antibiotics were immediately started, resulting in successful recovery. Thus, we suggest that if a diabetic patient complains of low back pain, potential abscess formations should be considered and given appropriate treatment before administering epidural anesthetic injections for pain relief.

Abdominal Abscess↗
PubMed2006

Intracranial complications of sinusitis in children and adolescents and their outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into patterns of presentation, imaging, microbiological aspects, therapy, disease course, and outcome of intracranial complications of sinusitis (ICS), which are challenging conditions with the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality. We reviewed our experience with ICS in children and adolescents. DESIGN: Consecutive case series with a mean follow-up of 12 months. SETTING: Tertiary pediatric referral center. PATIENTS: Consecutive sample of 25 children and adolescents treated for 35 intracranial complications (mean age, 13.2 years [range, 4-18 years]). INTERVENTIONS: Medical and surgical management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival and temporary and permanent neurologic sequelae. RESULTS: Most patients were adolescents (n = 19; 76%) and male (n = 19; 76%). Epidural abscess was most common (13 complications), followed by subdural empyema (n = 9), meningitis (n = 6), encephalitis (n = 2), intracerebral abscess (n = 2), and dural sinus thrombophlebitis (n = 2). Abscesses were primarily located in the frontal or frontoparietal regions. Magnetic resonance imaging was extensively used and was superior to contrast computed tomography in diagnosis. All patients received intravenous antibiotics, 21 underwent endoscopic sinus surgery, and 13 underwent neurosurgical drainage. Only 1 death occurred from sepsis secondary to meningitis (mortality, 4%). Overall, neurologic outcome was excellent. Although 10 patients (40%) had neurologic deficits, most resolved within 2 months. Only 2 patients had permanent neurologic sequelae. Among ICS, epidural abscess appeared to be a distinct clinical entity. Epidural abscesses typically presented without specific neurologic symptoms or signs, were more often associated with orbital complications, and had outcomes considerably better than the other ICS. CONCLUSION: Intracranial complications of sinusitis are challenging, but prognosis can be favorable in children and adolescents by using aggressive medical and surgical management.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Spinal infection: evaluation with MR imaging and intraoperative US.

Magnetic resonance (MR) images of the spine and/or intraoperative spinal ultrasound (US) in 24 patients with spinal infections were reviewed and correlated with clinical and pathologic data to determine their diagnostic value. In disk space infection with osteomyelitis and in retrospinal abscess, MR images showed characteristic findings, whereas in myelitis, MR images demonstrated nonspecific abnormalities. The appearance on MR images of epidural abscesses ranged from clearly identifiable extradural masses with high-intensity signal on spin-echo T2-weighted images to extensive inhomogeneous collections of mixed signal intensities, difficult to distinguish from adjacent meningitis. Myelography with high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and intraoperative spinal US was superior to MR imaging in demonstrating epidural abscesses when there was concomitant meningitis. With intraoperative spinal US, epidural abscesses could be located and their decompression monitored. MR imaging is recommended as the initial screening procedure in spinal infection; in those few patients with nondiagnostic MR images, myelography with high-resolution CT should be the supplementary study. If surgery is planned, intraoperative spinal US should be used.

Abscess↗
PubMed2000

Diagnostic pitfalls in osteomyelitis of the odontoid process: case report.

BACKGROUND: Pyogenic osteomyelitis of the odontoid process is a very rare disease associated with a variety of clinical symptoms, and previous reports have stressed the difficulties inherent in making the diagnosis. The authors present a case of osteomyelitis of the odontoid process with epidural abscess in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used in the diagnosis, assessment of the extent of concomitant epidural abscess, treatment effect, and long-term follow-up. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 68-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with cervical pain, neck stiffness, and fever. Although the diagnosis was missed at the beginning, the patient was diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the odontoid process with a paravertebral epidural abscess by MRI. The patient became asymptomatic after 3 months of antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: Pyogenic osteomyelitis of the odontoid process is a rare condition requiring a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. MRI examination should be considered in the diagnosis in patients with neck pain combined with fever. Serial MRI during and after antibiotic therapy provided an objective assessment of the healing rate of the lesions.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Outcome and complications of epidural analgesia in patients with chronic cancer pain.

BACKGROUND: Some cancer patients require invasive techniques for control of chronic cancer pain. Many patients have benefited from local administration of opioids and anesthetics through an epidural catheter. However, epidural abscess and meningitis are side effects of epidural catheters that have serious morbidity and mortality. METHODS: In a retrospective study, the charts of all patients who received an epidural catheter for the management of chronic cancer pain in a 3-year period (1993-1996) were reviewed. Patients with nervous system infections were identified and pertinent clinical, radiologic (magnetic resonance imaging), and bacteriologic data were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients received 137 epidural catheters for a total of 4326 catheter days. All but four patients had died at the time of the final analysis. The median survival after placement of the first epidural catheter was 38 days (range, 1 day--> 1000 days). Seventy-two patients received a percutaneous port whereas 19 patients were treated with an implanted subcutaneous port. Adequate pain relief was obtained in 76% of the 58 patients with nociceptive pain and in 73% of 33 patients with neuropathic pain. All neuropathic pain was associated with active tumor and could be classified as nociceptive nerve pain. Technical complications and superficial infections occurred in as many as 43% of patients. Deep infections occurred in 12 patients, 11 of whom had a spinal epidural abscess. CONCLUSIONS: Deep infection is a frequent complication of epidural analgesia and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Only cancer patients with a short life expectancy (< or =3 months) should be treated with epidural analgesia.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A 15-year-old with back pain, fever, and leg numbness.

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is an uncommon entity. We report an adolescent presenting with fever and back pain beginning 3 months after a leg abscess. This case highlights several important aspects of the diagnosis and care of patients with SEA. As illustrated by this case, plain radiographs and computed tomography of the spine can miss the diagnosis, thus when spinal epidural abscess is suspected, magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging modality of choice. Epidural abscesses most commonly arise from hematological dissemination, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most often cultured organism. Surgical intervention early combined with the administration of proper antibiotics leads to the best outcome.

Abscess↗
PubMed2000

Intracranial complications of acute mastoiditis.

OBJECTIVE: Oral antibiotic use may have changed the incidence and microbiology of otitic intracranial complications. We reviewed cases of acute mastoiditis to document: (1) incidence of intracranial complications; (2) risk factors; and (3) identify pathologic organisms. METHODS: A retrospective study of children at a tertiary care children's hospital with acute mastoiditis from July, 1986 through June, 1998. RESULTS: 118 children with acute mastoiditis were identified. Eight patients (6.8%), ages 20 months to 14 years, had intracranial complications related to acute mastoiditis. Three children had a sigmoid sinus thrombosis, two children had an epidural abscess, and two children had both complications of sigmoid sinus thrombosis and epidural abscess, and a sigmoid sinus thrombosis and meningitis was present in one child. Pre-admission oral antibiotics were administered for an average of 10 days in seven of the eight patients. Persistent otorrhea and/or otalgia were present in all patients. Intraoperative cultures were negative in four cases (50%). Organisms isolated included: Streptococcus pneumoniae (2); Proteus mirabilis (1); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1); and coagulase negative Staphylococcus (1). Multi-drug resistant organisms were documented in only one case. All patients underwent a contrast enhanced CT of the temporal bones and brain. Surgical management included complete mastoidectomy in all patients and a pressure equalization tube in seven of the eight cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our review did not document an increase in the incidence of otitic intracranial complications. Persistent otalgia or otorrhea while on oral antibiotics with associated neurologic symptoms are ominous signs suggestive of a complication. Multi-drug resistant organisms are uncommon whereas negative intraoperative cultures are common.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Hematogenous pyogenic facet joint infection of the subaxial cervical spine. A report of two cases and review of the literature.

Two cases of hematogenous, pyogenic, subaxial cervical facet joint infection are reported, and the literature is reviewed. Infection of the cervical facet joint is a rarely diagnosed condition; only one case has been reported in the literature. Lumbar facet joint infections are also rare but more commonly reported. Approximately one fourth of facet joint infections in the lumbar spine are complicated by epidural abscess formation, which can lead to a neurological deficit. Because of the paucity of reports on cervical facet joint infections, the clinical characteristics of this entity are not well known. Both patients presented with an acute onset of unilateral neck pain that radiated into the ipsilateral shoulder. Frank radicular pain was initially absent. Unilateral upper-extremity motor weakness that was attributed to associated epidural abscess or granulation tissue formation was also demonstrated in both patients. Leukocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were elevated in both cases. Magnetic resonance imaging was necessary to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the offending pathogen in both cases. Decompressive surgery and antibiotic therapy were required to cure the condition. One patient recovered completely and the other sustained a permanent motor deficit. Hematogenous cervical facet joint infection is a rare clinical entity that has many characteristics in common with the more-common lumbar homolog. All three reported cases, however, have been complicated by epidural abscess or granulation tissue formation that has led to a neurological deficit. This finding suggests that a facet joint infection in the cervical spine may have a less benign clinical course than that in the lumbar spine.

Bacteremia↗
PubMed1993

Myelitis and toxic, inflammatory, and infectious disorders.

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare infection that is usually treated with surgery and antibiotics. A small number of patients have been treated with medical therapy alone. We review several recent series of spinal epidural abscess and discuss the controversy surrounding the use of medical therapy alone. We also review recent clinical and pathogenetic data about human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 infection. The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of intramedullary spinal cord abscess, and methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide treatment of transverse myelitis in systemic lupus erythematosus are also discussed briefly.

Abscess↗
PubMed2005

Infections of the spine in patients with human immunodeficiency virus.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal infections in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been described. However, the prevalence, specific characteristics, and outcomes of spinal infections in these patients have not been studied in a large group of patients to our knowledge. METHODS: The computerized records of all patients discharged with the diagnosis of spinal osteomyelitis, discitis, epidural abscess, or tuberculosis from our institution from October 1994 through September 2000 were reviewed. Patients with the diagnosis of HIV were identified, and the charts were examined in detail. RESULTS: During the six-year period, 7338 unique patients who were HIV positive were admitted. Seventeen (0.23%) of them were treated for a spinal infection. The prevalence of spinal infection was 23.2 per 10,000 admissions of HIV-positive patients and 7.1 per 10,000 admissions of HIV-negative patients (p < 0.0001). Eight patients who had discitis and/or osteomyelitis had a mean CD4 T-cell count of 339.6 cells/mm(3), and all eight had clinical resolution of the infection after six to twelve weeks of appropriate antibiotic therapy. In contrast, six patients who had spinal tuberculosis had a mean CD4 count of 75.7 cells/mm(3) (p = 0.005), and one of them died during the hospitalization. The remaining three patients, who had epidural abscesses, had a mean CD4 count of 20.67 cells/mm(3) (p = 0.001), and two of them died. CONCLUSIONS: Discitis and/or osteomyelitis occurs in HIV-positive patients with a mild-to-moderate decrease (>/=200 cells/mm(3)) in the CD4 T-cell count, and the infection responds to appropriate antibiotics. Patients with a more severely decreased CD4 count (50 to 200 cells/mm(3)) may have spinal tuberculosis develop, and patients with the lowest CD4 counts are more likely to have epidural abscesses develop. The three fatalities in this study occurred in these two groups of patients. As a group, HIV-positive patients are significantly more likely to have a spinal infection develop than are HIV-negative patients (p < 0.0001). Although the CD4 count can be used as a predictor of the clinical course, identification of the organism remains paramount in the treatment of this complex patient population.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2003

Extensive subgaleal abscess and epidural empyema in a patient with acute frontal sinusitis.

Acute frontal sinusitis can be a serious condition because of its potential life-threatening complications. These complications, including spread of infection to the frontal bone and intracranially, require prompt diagnosis and intervention to avoid morbidity and mortality. We report a case of acute frontal sinusitis in a 16-year-old girl who presented with fever, severe headache, and vomiting of 3 days' duration. Generalized fluctuant swelling of the nasal root, and bilateral supraorbital and frontoparietal regions was noted. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated left pansinusitis, extensive subgaleal abscess and epidural empyema with osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. External frontoethmoidectomy with mucoperiostectomy were performed. Endoscopic sinus surgery was then conducted for intranasal ethmoidectomy. Intraoperative cultures grew viridans streptococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci and Peptostreptococcus micros. The patient received 3 weeks of treatment with intravenous antibiotics (penicillin 3 MU 4-hourly, ceftriaxone 500 mg 12-hourly, metronidazole 500 mg 6-hourly) and was discharged uneventfully and prescribed additional oral antibiotics for 5 weeks (clindamycin 150 mg 6-hourly and chloramphenicol 250 mg 6-hourly). CT revealed complete resolution of the abscess and clear maxillary and ethmoid sinuses at 7 weeks posttreatment. The patient was free of sinus infection at 4-years follow-up, without noticeable cosmetic deformity.

Abscess↗
PubMed2005

Intracranial abscesses associated with chronic suppurative otitis media.

Intracranial abscesses are serious complications of chronic suppurative otitis media (COM). This study included 32 patients presenting with intracranial abscesses from 780 patients hospitalized for treatment of COM. The 32 patients had 59 intracranial complications. Perisinus abscess (13 of 32) was the most common intracranial abscess, followed by temporal lobe abscess (8 of 32), epidural abscess (7 of 32), cerebellar abscess (6 of 32) and subdural empyema (2 of 32). Headache (93%), fever (87%) and altered mental status (62%) were the most common presenting symptoms and signs, along with symptoms of COM. All patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics and canal wall down mastoidectomy. Cholesteatoma with granulation tissue and bony defects at the sinus plate and/or dural plate were seen in most of the patients. Gram negative bacilli and anaerobes were the most common organisms cultured from the abscesses. Three patients had neurological sequels. One patient died. The early diagnosis of these complications requires a high index of suspicion and imaging studies. A multidisciplinary and coordinated approach is important for the management of these patients.

Adolescent↗