[Spinal epidural abscess: an interdisciplinary emergency]

On the basis of fifteen own observations in the years 1978 to 1984 as well as the literature, clinic diagnostic and therapy of epidural spinal abscess are represented. Myelography and CT are the leading methods after clinic and neurology must already lead to a hospital admission in case of the slightest signs of an incipient transverse lesion of te cord with paraplegia. Laminectomy as well as suction and through-drainage are methods of choice, conservative treatment is an exception.