[Spinal epidural abscess after long-term epidural catheterization]

This case report describes a 63-year-old male patient with considerably impaired postoperative wound healing in the region of the lower extremities. After initial drug therapy for the pain was ineffectual, the patient was treated repeatedly through an epidural catheter. In the further course, an extensive spinal epidural abscess was diagnosed as an incidental finding without neurological symptoms. After taking into consideration the patient's age and the risk factors present as well as inclusion of the subspecialties involved for an interdisciplinary assessment, the patient was successfully treated with a conservative approach. Our contribution concludes with a detailed discussion and comparison of the literature.