Epidural abscess secondary prevention: Difference between revisions
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==Secondary Prevention== | ==Secondary Prevention== | ||
Attending to the concept of [[secondary prevention]], in which efforts are directed at reducing disease progression, avoiding emergence of [[symptoms]], in [[epidural abscess]] [[secondary prevention]] is related to | Attending to the concept of [[secondary prevention]], in which efforts are directed at reducing disease progression, avoiding emergence of [[symptoms]], in [[epidural abscess]], [[secondary prevention]] is related to the early [[diagnosis]] of the disease. It is of extreme importance that cases of [[sinusitis]], [[head injury|head]] and [[Spinal cord injury|spinal trauma]], [[neurosurgery]], local and proximal [[infectious]] processes are diagnosed early and treated promptly, in order to prevent the extension of the disease to the [[epidural space]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 05:18, 27 March 2014
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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. Due to the fact that the initial symptoms and clinical characteristics are not always identical and are similar to 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. According to the location of the collection, the abscess may have different origins, different organisms involved, symptoms, evolutions, complications and therapeutical techniques. [2] The treatment of epidural abscess focuses in two main aspects: reduction of the inflammatory mass; and eradication of the responsible organism. These goals can be reached through a combination of therapeutical approaches, including: aspiration, drainage and antibiotic therapy. An early surgical decompression and drainage, followed by an aggressive antibiotic treatment is the ideal procedure to increase the chances of a better outcome.
Secondary Prevention
Attending to the concept of secondary prevention, in which efforts are directed at reducing disease progression, avoiding emergence of symptoms, in epidural abscess, secondary prevention is related to the early diagnosis of the disease. It is of extreme importance that cases of sinusitis, head and spinal trauma, neurosurgery, local and proximal infectious processes are diagnosed early and treated promptly, in order to prevent the extension of the disease to the epidural space.
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.