Infect Chemother.  2008 Aug;40(4):230-232. 10.3947/ic.2008.40.4.230.

A Case of Cervical Epidural Abscess Presenting Rapidly Progressing Quadriplegia without any other Symptom or Sign of CEA

• Yu HJ
• Roh SY
• Koh SH

• KMID: 2170238
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3947/ic.2008.40.4.230

Abstract

Cervical epidural abscess (CEA) is a very uncommon disease with diverse clinical presentations. Clinically, it is difficult to diagnose this disease, especially in early stage. We report an atypical case of CEA showing only progressive quadriparesis without any other symptoms or signs of CEA. From this experience, CEA must be considered when progressive quadriparesis without any specific cause is developed in immuno-compromised patients and diabetic patients with polyneuropathies.

Keyword

Cervical epidural abscess; Quadriparesis; Diabetes Mellitus

MeSH Terms

Diabetes Mellitus
Epidural Abscess
Humans
Polyneuropathies
Quadriplegia

Figure

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  Figure 1 T2-wieghted midline saggital image of the patient revealed a C1-C4 compressive myelopathy caused by infectious spondylitis, prevertebral and anterior epidural abscess at the C4 and C5 vertebral bodies.

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