Spinal subdural abscess: successful treatment with limited drainage and antibiotics in a patient with AIDS

The authors present a case of Staphylococcus aureus spinal subdural abscess in a patient with AIDS. Although complete surgical drainage has been strongly advocated in the literature, this patient made a complete neurologic and symptomatic recovery and radiographically demonstrated resolution of the abscess with only limited surgical drainage and parenteral antibiotics. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of this unusual lesion are discussed. Relevant literature in the management of spinal subdural abscesses is reviewed.