A case of acute cervical epidural abscess]

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare condition with potentially devastating consequences and more aggressive diseases than previously recognized. We report a case with cervical epidural abscess treated successfully by emergent neural decompression. A 49-year-old man presented with fever and cervical pain. An magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an epidural abscess at C5-6. His condition deteriorated with the development of complete sensory loss and tetraparesis. Emergent anterior neural decompression was performed, and pus was aspirated which grew Staphylococcus aureus. Adequate antibiotics were administered, and the patient showed remarkable improvement of neurological signs and symptoms. He underwent reconstruction surgery 3 weeks after the first operation, and returned to his original job 3 months after the operation. Prompt diagnosis and satisfactory surgical decompression are essential to avoid irreversible neurological sequelae in epidural abscess of the cervical spine.