Spinal epidural abscess: The importance of early diagnosis and treatment: Case report

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare disease in the pediatric age group. Early diagnosis is often elusive and treatment is delayed. A 16-year-old boy was admitted our hospital for fever, severe low back pain and progressive neurologic deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a SEA from thoracal 6 to 11. 72 hours after paraplegia occured laminectomy and drainage of the abscess was performed. Appropriate antibiotics was given. But he had no recovery of neurologic function. Permanent paralysis and death usually have been related to delay in diagnosis. The problem with SEA is not treatment but early diagnosis, before severe neurological smptoms occur.