Acute spinal epidural abscess. Observations from fourteen cases

Abstract

Summary: Fourteen cases of acute spinal epidural abscess are analysed. Postoperatively 6 recovered completely, 4 patients recovered enough to allow unaided walking, 2 died and 2 who were paraplegic pre-operatively remained so. The purpose of this paper is to remind readers of the existence of this condition and to plead for early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment.