DIAGNOSIS AND MICROSURGICAL TREATMENT OF INTRASPINAL ABSCESS / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the diagnosis and microsurgical treatment of intraspinal abscesses. Methods The clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and microsurgical treatment of sixty-two patients with intraspinal abscess were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 36 were male and 26 were female, with an average age of 41 years. Thirty-seven were suffering from extradural abscesses, 23 subdural abscesses and 2 intramedullary abscesses. The diagnosis was made based on the history, clinical manifestations, MRI and myelogram. Prompt decompressive laminectomy and removal of the abscesses were carried out. Results Fifty-one patients were followed up. Of them, 27 completely recovered, accounting for 52.9%; in 18 the recovery was graded as good, accounting for 35.3%; and in 6 the recovery was fair, accounting for 11.8%. Conclusion Early diagnosis and microsurgical intervention of intraspinal abscesses could result in satisfactory recovery.