[Spinal epidural abscess. 8 years' experience]

We present four cases of spinal epidural abscess diagnosed in Clinica Puerta de Hierro between 1982 and 1990. In three cases the localization was thoracic and in one it was lumbar. Fever and vertebral pain were the more constant clinical symptoms. Lumbar punction showed findings in Cerebro-Spinal Fluid compatible with a parameningeal inflammation focus in the three cases it was performed. Diagnosis was established with myelography or Computerized Axial Tomography. Treatment in two cases was laminectomy and systemic antibiotics: and only antibiotics in the other two cases. Evolution was favorable in the patients who underwent surgery, but the patients treated conservatively had a fatal outcome.