Epidural abscess causes
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Epidural abscess Microchapters |
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Epidural abscess causes On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Epidural abscess causes |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Epidural abscess causes |
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. It may occur in two different places: intracranially or in the spinal canal. According to the region of infection, some causing organisms will be shared by both types of abscess, however, others will be different, mainly because of the risk factors involved in that particular area and the mechanisms of infection.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Subdural empyema is a life-threatening condition and must be treated as such irrespective of the causes. Life-threatening conditions may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
Common Causes
Although some causing organisms might be responsible for either type of epidural abscess, others are more common of one of those. Therefore, it is important to specify the more common causes of each epidural abscess, in order for the physician to start proper therapy as early as possible.
Intracranial Epidural Abscess
- If infection following neurosurgery:
- Osteomyelitis of the skull
Spinal Epidural Abscess
- Staphylococcus aureus
- MRSA (increasing incidence)
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis (in some developing countries)