Intramedullary spinal cord abscess as postoperative complication: A case report

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Infectious Disease
• Spinal Cord Pathology

Background:

• Intramedullary spinal cord abscesses (ISCA) present a significant risk of morbidity and mortality.
• The incidence and outcomes of postsurgical ISCA remain largely uncharacterized.
• This case highlights a rare complication following spinal neurofibroma resection.

Observation:

• A 52-year-old male with neurofibromatosis type 1 developed ISCA 16 months post-spinal surgery.
• Symptoms included acute pain and progressive neurological deficits.
• MRI revealed an enlarging intramedullary lesion.

Findings:

• Surgical evacuation successfully removed the abscess.
• Cultures identified *Serratia marcescens* as the causative agent.
• The patient's neurological symptoms resolved following treatment.

Implications:

• Clinicians should maintain a high suspicion for ISCA in postsurgical patients.
• Prompt diagnostic imaging (contrast MRI or CT myelogram) is essential.
• Early surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy improve patient outcomes and prevent permanent neurologic damage.