Pediatric lumbar epidural abscess combined with cauda equina syndrome: case report
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bumin Hospital, Busan, Korea.
Insights
Pyogenic epidural abscess is a rare condition causing paralysis. This report details a successful treatment of a 10-year-old girl with a lumbar epidural abscess and cauda equina syndrome using surgery and antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pyogenic epidural abscess is a rare condition with rapid progression and potential for neurologic paralysis.
- The mean age of onset is typically reported as 57 years.
- Pediatric cases are exceptionally uncommon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of pyogenic lumbar epidural abscess with cauda equina syndrome in a pediatric patient.
- To highlight successful treatment strategies for this condition in young patients.
- To review the existing literature on pediatric pyogenic epidural abscess.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis was established through clinical presentation and imaging.
- Treatment involved surgical drainage of the abscess.
- Antibiotic therapy was administered post-operatively.
Main Results:
- Successful surgical drainage and antibiotic treatment were achieved.
- The patient experienced a positive outcome without long-term neurologic deficits.
- This case represents an unusual presentation in a pediatric demographic.
Conclusions:
- Pyogenic lumbar epidural abscess can occur in children, presenting with cauda equina syndrome.
- Prompt surgical intervention and appropriate antibiotic therapy are crucial for favorable outcomes.
- Early diagnosis and management are essential to prevent severe neurologic complications.
Abstract:
Pyogenic epidural abscess is a very rare disease. Once it occurs, it promptly progresses and can cause neurologic paralysis. Mean age of onset has been reported to be 57 years. Here we report making a diagnosis of pyogenic lumbar epidural abscess accompanying cauda equina syndrome in a 10-year-old girl. We treated this case successfully with surgical drainage and antibiotics. We report our case with a review of the literature.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
01:29Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
01:29Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction