Korean J Spine.  2017 Mar;14(1):17-19. 10.14245/kjs.2017.14.1.17.

Gas-Containing Cervical Epidural Abscess Accompanying Bacterial Meningitis in an Adult

• Kim DM
• Kim SW

• KMID: 2377784
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2017.14.1.17

Abstract

Gas-containing spinal epidural abscesses are uncommon. Moreover, acute spinal epidural abscesses rarely complicate bacterial meningitis in adults. Here, we report a rare case of a gas-containing cervical epidural abscess accompanying bacterial meningitis. In spite of aggressive fluid and continuous antibiotic therapy after the isolation of Streptococcus anginosus and Streptococcus constellatus in the cerebrospinal fluid cultures, the patient showed remaining motor dysfunction and bladder involvement. Our experience suggests that the effort to prevent neurologic deterioration by emergent surgical decompression and drainage of pus is mandatory to avoid additional spinal cord dysfunction in patients with spinal epidural abscesses accompanying bacterial meningitis.

Keyword

Cervical spine; Abscess; Meningitis

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Adult*
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Decompression, Surgical
Drainage
Epidural Abscess*
Humans
Meningitis
Meningitis, Bacterial*
Spinal Cord
Streptococcus anginosus
Streptococcus constellatus
Suppuration
Urinary Bladder