RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Extensive spinal epidural abscess (ESEA) is a rare clinical entity subject to delayed diagnosis, which can be explained by the extension of the epidural collection, thereby delaying the mass effect responsible for its clinical manifestations. METHODS: We report a rare case of an extensive C7 to T10 epidural abscess in a 54-year-old man treated with antibiotics, laminectomy, and abscess drainage. In addition, we conducted a systematic literature search according to the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews" guidelines. Relevant studies (1980 to 2023) reporting patients with ESEA were identified from PubMed databases. RESULTS: A total of 48 studies reporting 55 patients were included in this study with a mean age of 55.7 ± 14.6 years with a male predominance of 61.8% (n=34). The median duration of follow-up was 38 months [21.5 - 64.3]. The mortality rate of ESEA was 1.8% for a 21.8% morbidity rate with 76.4% (n=42) reported to have been improved after surgery. CONCLUSION: Both single and multilevel laminectomy with abscess drainage for extensive spinal epidural abscess leads to patient recovery from this devastating condition. Evaluation of the outcome with data on time-to-Nadir and Nadir-to-surgery is needed to codify ESEA management.
