Large Spinal Abscess in a Neonate

• Published in: Neurology India Vol. 68; no. 6; pp. 1456 - 1458
• Main Authors: Triapthy, Bikasa, Sahoo, Subrat, Mohanty, Manoj, Jain, Mantu, Sahoo, Sangeeta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.11.2020; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd
• Subjects: Abscess; Abscesses; Care and treatment; Case studies; Central nervous system diseases; Diagnosis; Diseases; Epidural; Infants (Newborn); Pediatric research; India; neonateKey Messages: SEA in neonates needs a surgical clearance for best chance of neurological recovery due to lack of literature in pediatric population on the conventional management of SES with antibiotics alone. In our case it was preventive with child at risk for cross fluctuation. A major concern is the risk late onset postoperative kyphosis following extensive laminectomy; spinal abscess; Extra-spinal; epidural; spontaneous; neonate
• DOI: 10.4103/0028-3886.304112
• ISSN: 0028-3886

Spontaneous spinal epidural abscess is rare entity in neonates. These are surgical emergency in which early diagnosis and prompt decompression is necessary to avoid permanent cord damage. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings of paraplegia supported by radiological findings on an MRI. We found a large extra spinal abscess in an infant that on further evaluation showed a communicating epidural component, yet the baby was neurologically intact. The abscess was drained in emergency with clearance of epidural component and appropriate antibiotics instituted for Streptococcus pyogenes as per sensitivity. The patient is doing well at 6 months follow up.