"Hot and Achy": A Case of an Extensive Spinal Epidural Abscess.

Authors

Vinita D Yadav, Internal Medicine, Reading Hospital/Tower Health, West Reading, USAFollow
Devi Parvathy Jyothi Ramachandran Nair, Internal Medicine, Reading Hospital/Tower Health, West Reading, USAFollow
Shefali Amin, Internal Medicine, Reading Hospital/Tower Health, West Reading, USA
Manish Shrestha, Internal Medicine, Reading Hospital/Tower Health, West Reading, USA
pavani pagolu, Internal Medicine, Reading Hospital/Tower Health, West Reading, USAFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-22-2024

Abstract

We present a case of a 94-year-old female who presented to the emergency room with a fever and generalized weakness without an initial obvious source of infection. Throughout admission, she continued to be febrile despite broad-spectrum antibiotics. Several days into admission, the patient complained of severe back pain, necessitating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the entire spine. The imaging revealed an extensive epidural fluid collection consistent with a spinal epidural abscess. Fortunately, she did not have any neurological deficits and was treated conservatively with IV antibiotics with improvement. This case highlights this rare presentation and the importance of early diagnosis and management of spinal epidural abscesses.

Publication Title

Cureus

Volume

16

Issue

5

First Page

60876

Last Page

60876

Recommended Citation

Yadav, V., Jyothi Ramachandran Nair, D., Amin, S., Shrestha, M., & pagolu, p. (2024). "Hot and Achy": A Case of an Extensive Spinal Epidural Abscess.. Cureus, 16 (5), 60876-60876. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.7759%2Fcureus.60876