A rare aetiology of spinal epidural abscess

Lata Sheoran, Neeraj Goel, Shankar Acharya, Nitin Adsul, Chand WattalIndian Journal of Medical Microbiology 2019 37(4):590-592 Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) due to Streptococcus pneumoniae is a rare entity, but it is associated with high mortality. Here, we describe a rare case of pneumococcal SEA in an immunocompetent adult who presented with fever, lower back pain and paresis. Central nervous system examination revealed a decreased power in bilateral lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine showed loculated pus collection in the epidural space at the level of L4–L5 vertebrae. Pus obtained following L4–L5 decompression along with blood cultures grew S. pneumoniae. The patient was treated with clindamycin and cefoperazone-sulbactam for 6 weeks, and no relapse was noted on 11 months follow-up.
Source: Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Source Type: research