What Is Currently Known about Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess among Children? A Concise Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Intramedullary spinal cord abscesses (ISCA) are uncommon conditions in pediatric patients.
• Symptoms can be subtle and uncharacteristic in younger children, complicating early diagnosis.
• Treatment typically involves antibiotics and surgical intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and analyze published pediatric cases of ISCA.
• To identify common symptoms, predisposing factors, and pathogens.
• To evaluate treatment outcomes and prognosis in children.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of published literature on pediatric ISCA cases.
• Analysis of patient demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, and treatment strategies.
• Evaluation of neurological recovery and long-term outcomes.

Main Results:

• Most pediatric ISCA cases occurred in children under 6 years old.
• Common symptoms included motor deficits (89%), signs of infection (86%), and sensory deficits (39%).
• Predisposing factors included dermal sinuses and congenital cysts; common pathogens were *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric ISCA, while rare, can be effectively treated with antibiotics and surgery.
• Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for favorable neurological outcomes.
• The majority of pediatric patients experience significant neurological recovery.