MR-IMAGING APPEARANCES OF CERVICAL EPIDURAL ABSCESS

Epidural abscess of the cervical spine is an uncommon disorder. The pr esentation is often non-specific and the diagnosis unsuspected. Magnet ic resonance (MR) imaging is now considered the imaging investigation of choice. We report six patients with cervical epidural abscess diagn osed on MR imaging. The MR imaging showed the abscess to have a variab le appearance and enhancement characteristics. Follow-np MR examinatio ns confirmed resolution of the abscess and, in five cases, allowed con servative management.