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Proteus mirabilis abscess involving the entire neural axis
A S Kamat1, N S Thango1, M Ben Husein1
1Division of Neurosurgery, H53 Old Main Building, Groote Schuur Hospital and Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
Summary
A rare spinal cord abscess in a child, originating from a skin infection, spread throughout the neural axis. Prompt drainage led to a full recovery, marking the first documented case of such extensive involvement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Intramedullary spinal cord abscesses are uncommon and severe conditions.
- Often linked to systemic infections like endocarditis or urogenital/pulmonary infections.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old girl presented with an infected dermal sinus tract.
- This led to an intraspinal abscess that extended throughout the entire neural axis.
- The child developed quadriparesis due to the abscess.
Findings:
- Surgical drainage of the extensive intramedullary abscess was performed.
- The patient experienced a complete recovery of limb function post-drainage.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for dermal sinus infections to cause widespread neural axis abscesses.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric spinal cord abscesses.
- This represents the first reported instance of an intramedullary abscess affecting the entire neural axis.
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