Intramedullary abscess of the spinal cord in children: a case report and review of the literature

A case report of an intramedullary spinal cord abscess in a 13-month-old boy and a review of relevant existing pediatric literature is presented. Thirty-eight cases of pediatric intramedullary spinal cord abscess are analyzed for presenting signs and symptoms, microbiology of isolated organisms, surgical intervention, antibiotic administration and outcome. The most significant variable on outcome is timely surgical intervention, followed by appropriate antibiotic administration.