Neurospine.  2020 Jul;17(Suppl 1):S160-S165. 10.14245/ns.2040218.109.

Full Endoscopic Removal of Cervical Spinal Epidural Abscess: Case Report and Technical Note

• Chang KS
• Sun LW
• Cheng CY
• Chang SW
• Chen CM

• KMID: 2505028
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/ns.2040218.109

Abstract

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare disease that is less likely to occur in the cervical region. When it occurs here, cervical spondylodiscitis can develop. Surgical treatment is recommended because of possible life-threatening septic and neurological complications. We present a case of an 81-year-old man who suffered from right side paralysis and was subsequently diagnosed with a C4 to C7 epidural abscess. We utilized full endoscopic surgery for patient management. The traditional surgical methods for treating cervical epidural abscesses may cause spinal instability. There has only been one previous case report on the endoscopic-assisted method. Minimal invasive surgery by a full endoscopic method can be done with a small incision and is associated with minimal blood loss and muscle damage. This is the first report on cervical epidural abscess drainage utilization a full endoscopic method. We recommend this alternative minimally invasive method to manage cervical epidural abscess.

Keyword

Spinal epidural abscess; Endoscopic surgery; Cervical spondylodiscitis