Spinal epidural abscess: a rare complication of olecranon bursitis

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare but potentially fatal condition if left untreated. We report the case of a 67-year old man who presented to the Accident and Emergency department complaining of acute onset of inter-scapular back pain, left leg weakness and loss of sensation in the left foot. On exa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inOrthopedic Reviews Vol. 1; no. 1; p. e1
Main Authors Evans, Rhys D R, Thaya, Moe, Chew, Ne Siang, Gibbons, Charles E R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Italy PAGEPress Publications 30.06.2009
Open Medical Publishing
Subjects
Abscesses
Back pain
Bursitis
Case Report
Epidural
olecranon bursitis
Staphylococcus aureus
spinal epidural abscess
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Summary:Spinal epidural abscess is a rare but potentially fatal condition if left untreated. We report the case of a 67-year old man who presented to the Accident and Emergency department complaining of acute onset of inter-scapular back pain, left leg weakness and loss of sensation in the left foot. On examination he was found to be pyrexial with long tract signs in the left lower leg. In addition he had a left sided olecranon bursitis of three weeks duration. Blood tests revealed raised inflammatory markers and a staphylococcal bacteremia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess and he subsequently underwent a three level laminectomy with good resolution of his back pain and neurological symptoms. He has made a complete recovery with a prolonged course of intravenous antibiotics.
ISSN:2035-8237
2035-8164
2035-8164
DOI:10.4081/or.2009.e1