Epidural abscess secondary prevention: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Joao Silva (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
Joao Silva (talk | contribs)
Line 7: Line 7:


==Secondary Prevention==
==Secondary Prevention==
Attending to the concept of 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 an early [[diagnosis]]. 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 05:14, 27 March 2014

Epidural abscess Microchapters

Home

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Epidural abscess from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

CT

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Epidural abscess secondary prevention On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Epidural abscess secondary prevention

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Epidural abscess secondary prevention

CDC on Epidural abscess secondary prevention

Epidural abscess secondary prevention in the news

Blogs on Epidural abscess secondary prevention

Directions to Hospitals Treating Epidural abscess

Risk calculators and risk factors for Epidural abscess secondary prevention

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 an early diagnosis. 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

  1. Longo, Dan L. (Dan Louis) (2012). Harrison's principles of internal medici. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-174889-6.
  2. 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.