Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

A Retrospective Study on Endoscopic Surgery for the Treatment of Paravertebral Abscess in Spinal Tuberculosis Patients
Published on: October 25, 2024
Spontaneous abscess of the lumbar spine presenting as subacute back pain
Jon M Dickson1, Daniel J Warren, Ann L N Chapman
1SHO (GP VTS1), Health Care of the Elderly, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK. jon.dickson@thejce.com
Abstract:
A 52-year-old lady was admitted with back pain, fever and reduced sensation in her left leg. Soon after admission she developed acute urinary retention. She underwent urgent MRI of the spine which showed an epidural abscess compressing the thecal sac which was treated with neurosurgical decompression and intravenous/oral antibiotics. Cultures from theatre grew Staphylococcus aureus sensitive to flucloxacillin. After 12 weeks of intravenous/oral antibiotics, she was discharged without any neurological disability.
Related Concept Videos
Brain Abscess l: Introduction
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Appendicitis
