SPINAL EPIDURAL ABSCESS - THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Objectives-To remind clinicians of the dangers of delayed diagnosis an d the importance of early treatment of spinal epidural abscess. Method s-A review of the literature on spinal epidural abscess and a comparis on of the published literature with local experience. Results-Imaging with MRT or CT enables early diagnosis of spinal epidural abcess and o ptimal therapy is surgical evacuation combined with 6-12 weeks (median 8 weeks) of antimicrobial chemotherapy. Clinical features are fever, pain, and focal neurological signs and may be associated with precedin g and pre-existing bone or joint disease. The commonest aetiological o rganism is S aureus. Conclusion-Early diagnosis and appropriate early antimicrobial chemotherapy with surgery is associated with an excellen t prognosis.