BACKGROUND Split cord malformation (SCM) is typically present at a single level but rarely, may be present at multiple levels in the spinal cord and can be associated with a wide array of lesions such as myelomeningoceles, lipomas, teratomas, and dermal sinus tracts (DSTs). CASE DESCRIPTION We describe a case of a 15-month-old female child who presented with high-grade fever and progressive m...

Copyright © 2006 Massachusetts Medical Society. Despite advances in medical knowledge, imaging techniques, and surgical interventions, spinal epidural abscess remains a challenging problem that often eludes diagnosis and receives suboptimal treatment. The incidence of this disease — two decades ago diagnosed in approximately 1 of 20,000 hospital admissions1 — has doubled in the past two decades...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to palliate the symptoms of spinal stenosis. Deep tissue infection is a known potential complication of these injections. There have been no previous published cases of osteomyelitis without epidural abscess after such injections. We present a case in an elderly patient who presented only with persistent axial low back pain ...

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare but potentially devastating condition. Tuberculosis (TB) as the aetiology of epidural abscess especially without bony the involvement of vertebrae is uncommon. We present here, our experience with two cases where patient had TB SEA without bony involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provided imaging localization. Diagnosis was confirmed by mycobact...

Pyogenic epidural abscess is a very rare disease. Once it occurs, it promptly progresses and can cause neurologic paralysis. Mean age of onset has been reported to be 57 years. Here we report making a diagnosis of pyogenic lumbar epidural abscess accompanying cauda equina syndrome in a 10-year-old girl. We treated this case successfully with surgical drainage and antibiotics. We report our case...

To our knowledge, there are no reports in the literature of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) developing upper cervical spine infections. Our objective is to present a case of upper cervical epidural abscess in a patient with PD and to review upper cervical spine infection. We present the patient's presentation, physical examination, imaging findings, and management as well a review of the l...

BACKGROUND Spinal subdural abscesses, also known as empyemas, are rare infectious lesions, the exact incidence of which is unknown. Presentation is typically dramatic, with back pain, fever, motor, and sensory deficits. Rapid identification and surgical intervention with laminectomy, durotomy, and washout provides the best outcomes. While hematogenous spread of an extra-spinal infection is the ...

We herein present a case of tubercular spinal epidural abscess (SEA) without osseous involvement that mimicked an acute bacterial abscess. This case manifested quite unusual findings not only radiographically, but also clinically compared with previously reported cases of tubercular SEA.

Study Design Narrative review. Objective Upper cervical epidural abscess (UCEA) is a rare surgical emergency. Despite increasing incidence, uncertainty remains as to how it should initially be managed. Risk factors for UCEA include immunocompromised hosts, diabetes mellitus, and intravenous drug use. Our objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature including the history, c...