Intramedullary spinal cord abscess

Carús, María Eugenia Miranda; Anciones, B; Castro, Adrian Bullón de; Lara, M; Isla, Alberto

doi:10.1136/jnnp.55.3.225

Cited by 24 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 3 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…9,[11][12][13] It is usually closely adherent to the inner aspect of the dura and to the cord into which it penetrates like a crater, so in occasional cases it becomes very difficult to define whether the intradural tuberculoma is extramedullary or intramedullary. 13,14 Intramedullary spinal cord abscess is a rare clinical entity and only 83 cases [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] have been reported in the literature since the original case documented by Hart in 1830. 25 Abscess formation becomes manifest by the accumulation of the necrotic tissue, debris and caseous material as the disease progresses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atypical intradural spinal tuberculosis: report of three cases

et al. 2003

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: To report three cases of intradural spinal tuberculosis (TB) by calling attention to atypical forms of spinal TB. Setting: A University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Methods: Histopathological, radiological, surgical and physical examination findings of three patients with spinal TB were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Based on histopathological, surgical and radiological findings, diagnosis of intramedullary abscess had been made in the first case and early and late phases of arachnoiditis in the other two patients, respectively.The clinical outcome was evaluated as satisfactory for the patient with intramedullary abscess who had been treated with medical and surgical interventions. The remaining two patients with arachnoiditis, who had been treated by shunting or simple decompression, had a relatively less favorable clinical outcome. Conclusion: Spinal TB, in its atypical forms, is a rare clinical entity and low index of suspicion on the part of the surgeon may result in misdiagnosis such as neoplasm. In cases presenting with an intraspinal mass lesion, possibility of a tuberculous abscess and/or a granuloma should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atypical intradural spinal tuberculosis: report of three cases

et al. 2003

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…15,23 Abscesses are also associated with dermoids, 29 epidermoids, 22 infected dermal sinus tract, 30 ± 32 ependymomas 33 and spinal dysraphism. 28,34,35 In about 25% cases primary source of infection was not detected. 20 Bartels et al found primary focus of infection in 7.5% of cases.…”

Section: Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Holocord intramedullary abscess: an unusual case with review of literature

1999

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Study design: A rare case of a holocord intramedullary abscess with review of literature. Objectives: Summary of clinical presentation, radiology, microbiology, etiology and management of intramedullary spinal cord abscess. Abscess involving the entire spinal cord is extremely rare and awareness of such an event could avoid delay in evacuation of the absess. Methods: The incidence, clinical presentation, radiological investigations, treatment and etiology of intramedullary spinal cord abscess in 100 consecutive cases are discussed. Results: Intramedullary spinal cord abscesses are rare. Presently, only ®ve cases of holocord intramedullary abscess are described. In our analysis of 100 cases of intramedullary abscess, a male preponderance was found. The ®rst and the third decades were the most common age groups. Prognosis is poor if treatment is delayed. Contrast-enhanced MRI is the ideal investigation for diagnosis. Prompt surgical drainage of the abscess with appropriate antibiotic therapy is mandatory since the natural course of the disease has a very unfavourable outcome. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus were the most common causative organisms. Conclusion: Intramedullary spinal cord abscess along the entire length of spinal cord is rare. A thorough history with precise clinical localisation, a high index of suspicion, contrastenhanced MRI at appropriate level and prompt surgical drainage with appropriate antibiotic therapy are key to the eventual outcome and prognosis.

show abstract

“…15 Intradural spinal abscesses are rare infections usually presenting as intramedullary lesions. [7][8][9]13,16,21,28 Preexisting anatomical abnormalities of the spinal cord or vertebral column constitute an important predisposing factor, and even minor abnormalities such as spina bifida occulta or spinal stenosis have been associated with infection. 8 Both congenital midline neuroectodermal defects (spinal dysraphisms) such as a dermal sinus 4,8,17,20,22,26 and intradural tumors such as epidermoids, 4,8,10,22 ependymomas, 2 or lipomas 16 have been described.…”

Section: Pathogenesis Of Intradural Extramedullary Spinal Abscessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pyogenic abscess of the filum terminale

Thomé¹,

Krauss²,

Zevgaridis³

et al. 2001

Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

✓ Intradural spinal abscesses are rare. They are predominantly encountered as intramedullary abscesses of the spinal cord and infrequently as subdural lesions. To their knowledge, the authors report the first case of a chronic pyogenic abscess of the terminal filum in an adult woman with kyphoscoliosis who presented with lumbar radiculopathies. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a partly cystic intradural L3–4 mass that markedly enhanced after contrast administration. Laboratory signs of infection were absent. Intraoperatively a lobulated lesion observed within the terminal filum was tightly attached to neighboring nerve roots by fibrosis. On opening the cyst wall pus was revealed. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a chronic abscess. Microbiological culture detected Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotic therapy resulted in an uneventful postoperative course, with complete resolution of symptoms and radiologically demonstrated disappearance of the lesion. The pathogenesis and radiological features of the lesion are discussed. Although extremely rare, a pyogenic abscess should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mass lesions of the cauda equina, especially in patients with preexisting spinal abnormalities. Surgical exposure, including drainage and biopsy sampling to rule out underlying tumor, combined with antibiotic treatment result in a favorable outcome.

show abstract

Intramedullary spinal cord abscess

Cited by 24 publications

References 3 publications

Atypical intradural spinal tuberculosis: report of three cases

Atypical intradural spinal tuberculosis: report of three cases

Holocord intramedullary abscess: an unusual case with review of literature

Pyogenic abscess of the filum terminale

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About