Absceso intramedular cervical en paciente inmunodeprimido / Intramedullary abscess of the cervical spinal cord in an immunodepressed patient

Los abscesos intramedulares son lesiones poco frecuentes. Su incidencia es muy baja, lo que determina que su diagnóstico sea dificultoso. Se caracterizan por síndromes neurológicos variados, que están dominados por dolor vertebral y déficit neurológico, por lo general en presencia de fiebre. Se los vincula a focos infecciosos de vecindad y otras veces a diseminación hematógena. Son mas frecuentes en pacientes que presentan alguna inmunodepresión o afecciones sistémicas que favorezcan las infecciones en topografías poco habituales. Los autores presentan un caso de un paciente inmunodeprimido, con historia de dolor vertebral y posteriormente un severo déficit neurológico y en quien se diagnosticó un absceso intramedular, asociado a una espondilodiscitis. No se comprobó por los estudios ni en la cirugía continuidad entre las lesiones. Se hace un análisis del caso clínico y de la escasa bibliografía publicada al respecto.

Intramedullary spinal cord abscesses are infrequent lesions. Its incidence is very low, what determines that its hand held is a difficult one. Clinically they are characterized by varied neurological syndromes, which are dominated by vertebral pain and neurological deficits, associated with fever. The origin of these abscesses is usually related to neighbourhood foci, or to hematogenous dissemination from a distant focus. They are more frequent in patients qho are immunosuppressed or systemic conditions that promote infection in unusual topographies. The authors report a case of an inmunocompromised patient in whom an intramedullary cervical spinal cord abscess associated to spondylodiskitis was found. Neither in the image studies nor in surgery, was a continuity between both lesions confirmed. There is an analysis of the clinical case and the little literature published on the subject.

Sequential Magnetic Resonance Imaging Finding of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess including Diffusion Weighted Image: a Case Report

Intramedullary spinal cord abscess (ISCA) is a rare infection of the central nervous system. We describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, including the diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings, of ISCA in a 78-year-old man. The initial conventional MRI of the thoracic spine demonstrated a subtle enhancing nodule accompanied by significant edema. On the follow-up MRI after seven days, the nodule appeared as a ring-enhancing nodule. The non-enhancing central portion of the nodule appeared hyperintense on DWI with a decreased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value on the ADC map. We performed myelotomy and surgical drainage, and thick, yellowish pus was drained.

Intramedullary Entire Spinal Cord Abscess Secondary to a Congenital Dermal Sinus: A Case Report

Intramedullary spinal abscesses are rare and potentially devastating lesions. The first case of spinal abscess was described in 1830 and fewer than 100 cases have been reported subsequently. Only sixteen previous reports have described an intramedullary abscess of the central nervous system secondary to a dermal sinus. Involvement of the entire cord is thus exceedingly rare. We present a case of a 7-month-old girl who had rapidly progressing quadriplegia with urinary and bowel retention and was found to have an intramedullary abscess as a result of a dermal sinus. Spine MRI shows thick irregular ring enhancement appeared within the broadest area of the spinal cord on the thoracic and lumbar area on mid thoracic level to L3 and high cervical area which extended to medulla. Immediate decompressive surgery and antibiotic treatment were performed. Excellent clinical outcome was obtained with a combination of medical and surgical management. Complete neurological assessment and diagnostic study of all patients with a congenital dermal sinus are very important. Prophylatic surgery is indicated in many cases to prevent dangerous and recurrent infections of the central nervous system.