Absceso epidural posterolateral y compresión radicular: una rara complicación del absceso retrofaríngeo / Posterolateral epidural abscess and root compression: a rare complication of retropharyngeal abscess

Introducción: el absceso epidural posterolateral y la compresión radicular es una rara complicación del absceso retrofaríngeo (ARF). Se realizó el reporte de un caso con esta complicación extremadamente rara. Método: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura (estudios radiológicos, historia y hallazgos clínicos). Se firmó consentimiento del paciente para la publicación. Resultados: paciente de 33 años remitido a nivel terciario de atención con un cuadro clínico de cervicalgia, odinofagia y fiebre. La tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) y la resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN) mostraron una colección retrofaríngea con compromiso epidural en el espacio medular cervical; en el examen físico se encontró odinofagia, cervicalgia, fiebre y pérdida de la fuerza muscular en el miembro superior derecho. El paciente fue llevado a manejo quirúrgico por otorrinolaringología y ortopedia para el drenaje de la colección; además, se le administró antibioticoterapia con cefepime y clindamicina por 21 días con buenos resultados; se consideró que el origen del absceso era idiopático. Conclusiones: el absceso epidural y la compresión radicular secundarias a un ARF es una rara y potencialmente mortal complicación de esta patología, con secuelas importantes en el paciente que la padece, que requiere un manejo médico-quirúrgico. En nuestro caso el manejo fue interdisciplinario, ya que integró otorrinolaringología, ortopedia, infectología y fisioterapia, lo que resultó en una evolución satisfactoria del paciente.

Introduction: posterolateral epidural abscess and radicular compression is a rare complication of retropharyngeal abscess (RFA), a case report with this extremely rare complication was made. Method: case report and review of the literature (radiological studies, clinical history, clinical findings) patient's consent was signed for the publication. Results: a 33-year-old patient referred at the tertiary care level with a clinical picture of cervicalgia, odynophagia and fever; CT and MRI showed retropharyngeal collection with epidural involvement in the cord cervical space, physical examination, odynophagia, cervicalgia, fever and loss of muscle strength in the right upper limb. Led to surgical management by ENT and orthopedics column for drainage of the collection; antibiotic therapy with cefepime, clindamycin for 21 days with good results; It was considered of idiopathic origin. Conclusions: epidural abscess and root compression secondary to an RFA is a rare and potentially fatal complication of this pathology with important sequelae in the patient, which requires medical-surgical management, in our case the management was integrated interdisciplinary otolaryngology, orthopedics, infectology, physiotherapy , with satisfactory evolution in the patient.

Infecciones piógenas de la columna vertebral / Pyogenic spinal infections

Las infecciones espinales son cuadros clínicos poco frecuentes, que exigen un alto índice de sospecha. La prevalencia de infecciones piógenas de la columna ha ido en aumento, en parte debido al envejecimiento de la población y a un mayor número de pacientes inmunocomprometidos. El estudio imagenológico se puede iniciar con radiografías simples, pero la resonancia magnética es el examen imagenológico de elección, ya que puede dar resultados positivos de forma precoz, entregando información más detallada del compromiso vertebral y tejidos blandos adyacentes. Aunque la clínica y los hallazgos imagenológicos nos pueden orientar, es importante intentar un diagnóstico microbiológico tomando cultivos y muestras para identificar al agente causal antes de iniciar los antibióticos; aunque es óptimo un tratamiento agente-específico, hasta un 25% de los casos queda sin diagnóstico del agente. El tratamiento es inicialmente médico, con antibióticos e inmovilización, pero se debe considerar la cirugía en casos de compromiso neurológico, deformidad progresiva, inestabilidad, sepsis no controlada o dolor intratable. El manejo quirúrgico actual consiste en el aseo y estabilización precoz de los segmentos vertebrales comprometidos. Descartar una endocarditis concomitante y el examen neurológico seriado son parte del manejo de estos pacientes.

Spinal infections are unusual conditions requiring a high index of suspicion for clinical diagnosis. There has been a global increase in the number of pyogenic spinal infections due to an aging population and a higher proportion of immunocompromised patients. The imaging study should start with plain radiographs, but magnetic resonance imaging (mri) is the gold standard for diagnosis. Mri can detect bone and disc changes earlier than other methods, and it provides detailed information on bone and adjacent soft tissues. Blood cultures and local samples for culture and pathology should be obtained, trying to identify the pathogen. According to the result, the most appropriate drug must be selected depending on susceptibility and penetration into spinal tissues. Treatment should start with antibiotics and immobilization; surgery should be considered in cases with neurological impairment, progressive deformity, spine instability, sepsis, or non-controlled pain. Current surgical treatment includes debridement and early stabilization. Practitioners should rule out endocarditis and perform a serial neurological examination managing these patients.

Empiema epidural espinal: clínica, diagnóstico y tratamiento a propósito de tres casos / Spinal epidural empyema: clinical, diagnosis and treatment with regard to three cases

El empiema epidural espinal (EEE) es una infección supurada del sistema nervioso central, predomina en el sexo masculino y en la edad media de la vida. El microorganismo mayormente implicado es Staphylococcus aureus. Alcanza el espacio epidural por contigüidad, inoculación directa o diseminación a distancia. Se manifiesta con fiebre, dolor espinal y déficit neurológico. Se presentan tres casos de EEE y se realizan consideraciones clínicas, microbiológicas y terapéuticas.

Abstract Spinal epidural empyema is a suppurating infection of the central nervous system, more frequent in male patients and during the midlife stage. Staphylococcus aureus is the most commonly found microorganism. It reaches the epidural space extending contiguously, by direct inoculation or distant spread. It manifests with fever, spinal pain and neurological deficit. Three cases of spinal epidural empyema are presented and clinical, microbiological and therapeutic considerations are made.

Resumo O empiema epidural espinal (EEE) é uma infecção supurada do sistema nervoso central, predominante no sexo masculino e na meia idade. O micro-organismo implicado na maioria dos casos é o Staphylococcus aureus. Atinge o espaço epidural por contiguidade, inoculação direta ou disseminação a distancia. Manifesta-se com febre, dor espinal e déficit neurológico. Apresentam-se três casos de EEE e fazem-se considerações clínicas, microbiológicas e terapêuticas.

Abscesso extradural da coluna vertebral - Revisão de literatura / Spinal epidural abscess - Review of literature

O abscesso extradural da coluna vertebral tem sido considerado raro. Sua incidência é de 0,2 a 2 casos por 10.000 internações/ano. O presente trabalho apresenta uma revisão sobre abscesso extradural da coluna vertebral, analisando causas, quadro clínico, exames de neuroimagens, tratamento e prognóstico. Trata-se de artigo de revisão baseado em levantamento nas bases de dados Medline/PubMed e SciELO, em que foram analisados os artigos mais relevantes a respeito desse assunto. Foram selecionados 66 artigos, nos quais são analisados fatores predisponentes, localização anatômica, quadro clínico, exames complementares, tratamento e prognóstico. Acomete mais indivíduos idosos e do sexo masculino. Os principais fatores predisponentes são: diabetes mellitus, pacientes imunodeprimidos e intervenções cirúrgicas na coluna vertebral. As condições clínicas pré-operatórias, intervenção cirúrgica precoce, antibioticoterapia apropriada e reabilitação intensiva são fatores determinantes no prognóstico em abscesso extradural da coluna vertebral.

Extradural abscess in spine is considered rare. Its incidence is 0.2 to 2 cases in 10.000 hospitalization/year. The present research presents a review about extradural abscess in spine, analyzing causes, clinical state, neuroimaging exams, treatment and prognosis. It?s a review article based in Medline/PubMed and SciELO data, were analyzed the most relevant articles about the present subject. It was analyzed 66 articles, analyzing predisposing factors, anatomical location, clinical state, complementary exams, treatment and diagnosis. Affects mainly the elderly and males. The main predisposing factors are: diabetes mellitus, immunodepressed patients and surgical intervention in spine. Clinical pre-operative conditions, precocious surgical intervention, appropriate antibiotic therapy and intensive rehabilitation are determinant in prognosis of spine extradural abscess.

Complicações intracranianas de rinossinusite / Intracranials complications of rhinosinusitis

Apresenta-se caso de abscesso epidural intracraniano associado a um empiema subdural como complicações de rinossinusite. O diagnóstico foi feito pela clínica em conjunto com a tomografia computadorizada. O paciente foi tratado com antibioticoterapia tríplice e intervenção cirúrgica para drenagem de empiema, evoluindo para a cura.

Report a case of intracranial epidural abscess associated with subdural empyema as a complication of a rhinosinusitis. The diagnosis was made by the clinical course and computerized tomography. The patient was treated with antibiotic therapy of wide spectrum and surgical treatment to drain the empyema, going to cure.

Spinal epidural abscess: report of five cases

Spinal epidural abscess [SEA] is a rare disease, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recently, incidence of the disease is increasing because of increased predisposing factors. Five cases with spinal epidural abscess admitted with neurologic deficits are reported here. Of these, one was an IV-drug abuser while in another case osteomyelitis resulted from tuberculosis. No source of infection was identified in other cases. All patients underwent urgent decompressive multilevel laminectomy followed by antibiotic therapy based on blood culture results. Finally, 3 patients could ambulate independently while the other two patients were left without improvement in neurologic status. SEA is a devastating condition if not diagnosed and treated promptly and effectively. Preoperative MR imaging provides a noninvasive, accurate means of diagnosis in this condition. Recent advances in the surgical treatment of SEA have resulted in the increased use of less-invasive surgical techniques, thereby decreasing the morbidity associated with surgery in both the short and long term

Spinal epidural abscess due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a patient with AIDS: case report and review of the literature

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare infectious disorder that often has delayed diagnosis and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. We present a case of an AIDS patient with a SEA due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This type of SEA in AIDS patients is characterized by localized spinal pain and prolonged fever. Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice in the diagnostic process. Early diagnosis, followed by specific therapy (surgical decompression combined with antituberculous drugs), is necessary to improve the prognosis of these kinds of patients.

Severe low back pain due to retroperitoneal abscess formation in diabetic patients

We report two cases of diabetic patients with severe low back pain associated with retroperitoneal abscesses. In the first case, multiple retroperitoneal and spinal epidural abscesses were detected. Paraplegia due to the spinal epidural abscess was not relieved by drainage of the abscess and subsequent antibiotic therapy. In the second case, drainage of the retroperitoneal abscess and antibiotics were immediately started, resulting in successful recovery. Thus, we suggest that if a diabetic patient complains of low back pain, potential abscess formations should be considered and given appropriate treatment before administering epidural anesthetic injections for pain relief.