We report a case of abscess formation after epidural analgesia, a rare
complication that developed in our patient 13 days after placement of
a thoracic epidural catheter for patient controlled analgesia. Cultur
e of the pus grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Althoug
h early diagnosis and rapid management have been reported to yield a s
atisfactory outcome, the case we describe ended in severe sequelae.