A case is described in which a parturient developed a Staphylococcus aureus
paraspinal abscess following epidural analgesia in labour. We compared thi
s case with other reported cases of paraspinal abscesses in obstetric patie
nts. The presentation, diagnosis and management of these cases were reviewe
d. Anaesthetists need to be aware that non-spinal-epidural abscesses can oc
cur in patients with an associated labour epidural.