Epidural abscess after epidural catheter for pain release during pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Despite knowledge about compromised host defence in the course of diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis, epidural analgesia (EA) is recommended for pain management during pancreatitis. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a diabetic patient with pancreatitis who developed an epidural abscess after 3 days with an epidural catheter. Natural killer and T-helper cell counts were distinctively reduced in the absence of HIV serology. Furthermore, a synthesis failure of the liver was observed and evidenced by low cholinesterase, low whole protein fraction and low antithrombin III in the peripheral blood. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the combination of pancreatitis, diabetes and compromised immunity might be a contraindication to epidural analgesia.