CT-guided minimally invasive treatment for an extensive spinal epidural abscess: a case report and literature review.

PURPOSE: We present a case involving an extensive epidural abscess that was successfully treated with computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous needle drainage and systemic antibiotic therapy.

METHODS: A 44-year-old woman with a history of spine injection procedures complained of severe backache and progressive radiating pain in her right lower extremity followed by sensory deficits in her right lower limb. A laboratory examination revealed leukocytosis and hyperglycemia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar region revealed an extremely large posterior spinal epidural abscess (SEA) extending from L2 to S2. Because the patient did not respond to intravenous antibiotics alone, she underwent CT-guided percutaneous needle drainage and irrigation.

RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus was detected in the purulent material from this abscess. Her clinical symptoms were dramatically and immediately relieved after this procedure. She achieved complete neurological recovery after 2 months of antibiotic therapy.

CONCLUSION: CT-guided percutaneous needle drainage and irrigation may be a rational treatment choice for patients with SEA with the exception of patients with a chronic abscess, an anterior abscess or discitis.