SPINAL EPIDURAL ABSCESS

Course overview

SPINAL EPIDURAL ABSCESS IS AN INFECTION OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM THAT CLASSICALLY PRESENTS WITH MIDLINE BACK PAIN, FEVER, AND NEUROLOGIC DEFICITS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE AND REQUIRES A HIGH INDEX OF SUSPICION. WHEN LEFT UNTREATED SPINAL EPIDURAL ABSCESS CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY. THUS ANY CLINICAL CONCERN FOR THIS DIAGNOSIS REQUIRES PROMPT EVALUATION AND TREATMENT. THIS ACTIVITY ILLUSTRATES THE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF SPINAL EPIDURAL ABSCESS AND DESCRIBES THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN MANAGING THOSE WITH THIS CONDITION.