Spinal epidural abscess: Report on 27 cases

BACKGROUND: Spinal epidural abscess, although an uncommon disease, often correlates with a high morbidity owing to significant delay in diagnosis. METHODS: In a prospective 5-year study, the clinical and magnetic resonance (MR) findings, treatment protocols, microbiology, and neurological outcomes were analyzed for 27 patients with spinal epidural abscess. RESULTS: Patients were typically middle-aged with underlying diabetes and presented with lumbar abscesses. Those undergoing surgical intervention >36 h after the onset of symptoms had poor neurological outcomes. CONCLUSION: Early recognition and timely evacuation of spinal abscesses minimized neurological morbidity and potential mortality.