SUBACUTE SPINAL-CORD ABSCESS CAUSED BY ST REPTOCOCCUS-MILLERI - CASE-REPORT

Since 1830, more than eighty cases of spinal cord abscesses have been reported. In half of these cases, it was unfortunately a post-mortem d iagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) now gives new possibilities in the diagnosis and treatment of this rare pathology. We report here a case of cervical spinal cord abscess due to Streptococcus milleri. The clinical and laboratory findings, the MRI features, the pathogenic ity of the offending pathogen and the surgical approach are discussed and compared with the data from the literature. The functional course was unexpectendely favourable in this patient. MRI allows prompt diagn osis and a precise localisation of the suspected abscess. Rapid surgic al drainage is a critical prognostic factor for effective management o f spinal cord abscess.