Epidural abscess in an obstetric patient

Epidural abscess is a rare complication of epidural block and occasionally presents in the post partum period. A case is described where a thoracolumbar abscess presented with backache and headache 10 days after an apparently uneventful block for labour and caesarean section. The abscess was treated medically with a satisfactory outcome. The literature is reviewed in order to assess several recent reports of infectious complications of epidural block in obstetric patients.