1. Intervertebral discitis and epidural abscess formation secondary to repeated epidural injections: a case report.
- Author
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Kalkan, Erdal, Eser, Olcay, Topatan, Halil Ibrahim, and Cengiz, Şahika Liva
- Subjects
LUMBAR vertebrae ,ABSCESSES ,MAGNETIC resonance imaging ,SURGICAL drainage ,BACKACHE - Abstract
Objective: In this article our aim was to emphasize the possibility of development of epidural abscess after repeated injections in a patient into the spinal epidural space. Methods: Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed due to worsening of low back pain, inability to walk, fever and sweating. Surgical drainage of the abscess was carried out by bilateral L
5 hemi-partial laminectomy. Antibiotic therapy was recommended for two months and neurological examination was normal after 6 months. Results: Two months after repeated injections, the patient was admitted to our clinic with the complaint of low back pain, inability to walk, fever and fatigue. T2 -weighted magnetic resonance (MR) examination of the lumbosacral spine showed spinal epidural abscess at L5 -S1 level and concomitant intervertebral discitis. Staphylococcus aureus grew on cultures. Conclusion: The frequent use of invasive procedures into the spinal cord such as epidural injections increases the incidence of abscesses which can cause serious morbidity if recognition of the infectious agent and treatment with appropriate antimicrobial therapy are delayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2006
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