Postoperative spinal epidural empyema: Clinical and computed tomography features

Roberto Spiegelmann*, Gideon Findler, Meir Faibel, Zvi Ram, Itzhack Shacked, Abraham Sahar

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Epidural empyema is a rare complication of elective spinal surgery. Four such cases are described. The clinical features of this postoperative complication were surprisingly vague and misleading. Fever was uncommon. Local inflammatory signs or rapid neurologic deterioration were absent. Computerized tomography proved useful in diagnosis and follow-up. Unlike spontaneous spinal epidural abscess, postoperative spinal epidural empyema had a benign course. Causative bacteria were miscellaneous. Surgical evacuation of the purulent collection and appropriate antibiotic therapy resulted in cure in all cases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1146-1149
Number of pages4
JournalSpine
Volume16
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1991
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Computed tomography
  • Spinal epidural abscess
  • Spine surgery
  • Surgical wound infection

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