Epidural abscess other diagnostic studies: Difference between revisions
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==Lumbar Puncture== | ==Lumbar Puncture== | ||
About 3/4 of patients whose CSF is studied show: | |||
*high protein level | |||
*[[pleocytosis]], ''with [[polymorphonuclear cells|polymorphonuclear]] or [[mononuclear cells|mononuclear]] predominance.'' | |||
These findings, although suggestive of parameningeal [[infection]], are not specific of [[epidural space|epidural]] [[infection]]. <ref name="Darouiche2006">{{cite journal|last1=Darouiche|first1=Rabih O.|title=Spinal Epidural Abscess|journal=New England Journal of Medicine|volume=355|issue=19|year=2006|pages=2012–2020|issn=0028-4793|doi=10.1056/NEJMra055111}}</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 20:35, 26 March 2014
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Epidural abscess Microchapters |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
An epidural abscess is a rare suppurative infection of the central nervous system, a collection of pus localised in the epidural space lying outside the dura mater, which accounts for less than 2% of focal CNS infections. [1] It may occur in two different places: intracranially or in the spinal canal. Because the initial symptoms and clinical characteristics are not always identical, and are similar to the ones in other diseases, along with the fact that they are both rare conditions, the final diagnosis might be delayed in time. This late diagnosis comes at great cost to the patient, since it is usually accompanied by a bad prognosis and severe complications with a potential fatal outcome. The diagnosis of epidural abscess should be first suspected from the clinical findings and posteriorly supported by laboratory tests and imaging studies, however it can only be confirmed after surgical drainage and proper study of the collected material. The laboratory test, despite helpful are not diagnostic and should always be used along history taking, clinical examination and imaging studies. According to the location of the collection, the abscess may have different origins, different organisms involved, symptoms, evolutions, complications and therapeutical techniques. [2][3]
Lumbar Puncture
About 3/4 of patients whose CSF is studied show:
- high protein level
- pleocytosis, with polymorphonuclear or mononuclear predominance.
These findings, although suggestive of parameningeal infection, are not specific of epidural infection. [3]
References
- ↑ Longo, Dan L. (Dan Louis) (2012). Harrison's principles of internal medici. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-174889-6.
- ↑ Danner, R. L.; Hartman, B. J. (1987). "Update of Spinal Epidural Abscess: 35 Cases and Review of the Literature". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 9 (2): 265–274. doi:10.1093/clinids/9.2.265. ISSN 1058-4838.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Darouiche, Rabih O. (2006). "Spinal Epidural Abscess". New England Journal of Medicine. 355 (19): 2012–2020. doi:10.1056/NEJMra055111. ISSN 0028-4793.