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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients
Published on: October 25, 2024
[Operative therapy for intraspinal empyema: a retrospective study of 23 patients]
C Ewald1, J Gartemann, S A Kuhn
1Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Erlanger Allee 101, Jena.
Objective:
Intraspinal empyema is a rare entity in spinal surgery. This study analyses the results after operating in 23 patients.
Material And Methods:
This is a retrospective study of 23 patients suffering from intraspinal empyema treated operatively in our department. The data were obtained by analysing the patient documents including the radiological and microbiological data.
Results:
18 patients suffered from different neurological deficits ranging from isolated mild hypaesthesia to paraplegia (n = 3). The operation was done as a one-level (n = 13), two-level (n = 8)or three-level (n = 2) microsurgical fenestration followed by irrigation and drainage of the pus. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent triggering organism. After a follow-up of 7 months 1 patient had died because of septic complications. Neurological deficits improved in 14 patients but 3 patients were still disabled in their daily life.
Conclusion:
Epidural spinal empyema remains a challenge in spine surgery. Persistent neurological deficits and lethal complications make it a severe problem. Management comprises urgent surgical evacuation of the pus followed by targeted antibiotic therapy.
