Unexpected Spinal Epidural Abscess: A Real Emergency
Beatriz R Marques1, Mariana Certal1, Elisabete Cerqueira2
1Internal Medicine, Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Chaves, PRT.
Cureus
|January 3, 2025
Summary
Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare but serious cause of neck and back pain. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent irreversible neurological damage.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Cervical and lower back pain are common emergency department complaints.
- Rarely, these symptoms can indicate serious underlying conditions like spinal epidural abscess (SEA).
- SEA poses a significant diagnostic challenge due to its uncommon nature and potential for rapid neurological deterioration.
Keywords:
bacterial infectioncompressive myelopathycrural tetraparesisdiagnostic delayprogressive myelopathyspinal epidural abscessstaphyloccocus aureusMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
396
Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
396
01:11Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
550
Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
550