Hidden Threat: Unveiling the Dangers of Cervical Epidural Abscess

Cervical epidural abscess (CEA) is an unusual but severe condition. In most cases, it can be related to infections such as the methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus at the sites of intravenous cannulae. The current case report describes a patient who developed a right epidural abscess at C₅-C₇, diagnosed following persistent chest pain and fever. He eventually recovered after surgical decompression with intravenous antibiotics. The diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is very challenging because of the nonspecific character of symptoms. Early diagnosis using leukocytosis, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and MRI is crucial for preventing irreversible neurological deficits, as this case illustrates the importance of prompt intervention and meticulous follow-up to avoid complications like irreversible neurological deficits and enable spinal stabilization.