Spontaneous abscess of the lumbar spine presenting as subacute back pain. (29th September 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dickson, Jon M; Warren, Daniel J; Chapman, Ann L N; Anoop, Unni; Hayat, Haleema; Bhattacharya, Debapriya
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2010
• Publication Date: 2010-09-29
• Subjects: Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr.11.2009.2505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : A 52-year-old lady was admitted with back pain, fever and reduced sensation in her left leg. Soon after admission she developed acute urinary retention. She underwent urgent MRI of the spine which showed an epidural abscess compressing the thecal sac which was treated with neurosurgical decompression and intravenous/oral antibiotics. Cultures from theatre grew Staphylococcus aureus sensitive to flucloxacillin. After 12 weeks of intravenous/oral antibiotics, she was discharged without any neurological disability.