ANTERIOR CERVICAL EPIDURAL ABSCESS TREATED BY ENDOSCOPY-ASSISTED MINIMALLY INVASIVE MICROSURGERY VIA POSTERIOR APPROACH

This is a report of clinical manifestation, physical findings, neuroph ysiological data, magnetic resonance imaging, and results after surger y in a 71-years-otd man with cervical abscess. Magnetic resonance imag ing after two weeks of empiric antibiotic therapy demonstrated the per sistence of an anterior cervical epidural collection and signs of spon dylodiscitis at the C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels. Surgery was performed by p osterior endoscopy assisted key-hole approach at the C2-C3 level to dr ain the abscess and to decompress the spinal cord. Postoperative speci fic medical treatment was then administered. A successful outcome, at 24 months follow-up, was achieved by surgery with complete clinical re covery, resolution of the abscess and healing of the spondylodiscitis. After unsuccessful blind medical therapy the minimally invasive micro surgical technique allowed us to keep the surgical injury of the healt hy tissue to a minimum while producing the maximum therapeutic effect.