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==Overview==
==Overview==
An epidural abscess is a rare suppurative infection of the [[central nervous system]], a collection of [[pus]] localised in the [[epidural space]] lying outside the [[dura mater]], which accounts for less than 2% of focal [[CNS]] infections. <ref>{{Cite book  | last1 = Longo | first1 = Dan L. (Dan Louis) | title = Harrison's principles of internal medici | date = 2012 | publisher = McGraw-Hill | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-07-174889-6 | pages =  }}</ref> It may occur in two different places: [[intracranial space|intracranially]] or in the [[spinal canal]].  Due to the fact that the initial symptoms and clinical characteristics are not always identical and are similar to other diseases, along with the fact that they are both rare conditions, the final diagnosis might be delayed in time. This late diagnosis comes at great cost to the patient, since it is usually accompanied by a bad prognosis and severe complications, with a potential fatal outcome. According to the location of the collection, the [[abscess]] may have different origins, different organisms involved, symptoms, evolutions, complications and therapeutical techniques. <ref name="DannerHartman1987">{{cite journal|last1=Danner|first1=R. L.|last2=Hartman|first2=B. J.|title=Update of Spinal Epidural Abscess: 35 Cases and Review of the Literature|journal=Clinical Infectious Diseases|volume=9|issue=2|year=1987|pages=265–274|issn=1058-4838|doi=10.1093/clinids/9.2.265}}</ref> With the advent of antibiotics, along with accurate imaging studies and surgical techniques, prognosis and outcome of epidural abscess has greatly improved.
An epidural abscess is a rare suppurative infection of the [[central nervous system]], a collection of [[pus]] localised in the [[epidural space]] lying outside the [[dura mater]], which accounts for less than 2% of focal [[CNS]] infections. <ref>{{Cite book  | last1 = Longo | first1 = Dan L. (Dan Louis) | title = Harrison's principles of internal medici | date = 2012 | publisher = McGraw-Hill | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-07-174889-6 | pages =  }}</ref> It may occur in two different places: [[intracranial space|intracranially]] or in the [[spinal canal]].  Due to the fact that the initial symptoms and clinical characteristics are not always identical and are similar to other diseases, along with the fact that they are both rare conditions, the final diagnosis might be delayed in time. This late diagnosis comes at great cost to the patient, since it is usually accompanied by a bad prognosis and severe complications, with a potential fatal outcome. According to the location of the collection, the [[abscess]] may have different origins, different organisms involved, symptoms, evolutions, complications and therapeutical techniques. <ref name="DannerHartman1987">{{cite journal|last1=Danner|first1=R. L.|last2=Hartman|first2=B. J.|title=Update of Spinal Epidural Abscess: 35 Cases and Review of the Literature|journal=Clinical Infectious Diseases|volume=9|issue=2|year=1987|pages=265–274|issn=1058-4838|doi=10.1093/clinids/9.2.265}}</ref> The treatment of [[epidural abscess]] focuses in two main aspects: reduction of the [[inflammatory]] mass; and eradication of the responsible organism. These goals can be reached through a combination of therapeutical approaches, including: aspiration, drainage and [[antibiotic]] therapy. An early [[surgical]] decompression and drainage, followed by an aggressive [[antibiotic]] treatment is the ideal procedure to increase the chances of a better outcome.
 
==Primary Prevention==
==Primary Prevention==
Considering the etiology and pathophysiology of spinal and intracranial epidural abscesses, the rapid treatment of cases of sinusitis, otitis and mastoiditis may decrease the risk of developing the epidural abscess. <ref name="pmid12521560">{{cite journal| author=Greenlee JE| title=Subdural Empyema. | journal=Curr Treat Options Neurol | year= 2003 | volume= 5 | issue= 1 | pages= 13-22 | pmid=12521560 | doi= | pmc=|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12521560  }} </ref> Along with the prevention of head and spinal trauma and the decrease of IV drug abuse.
Considering the etiology and pathophysiology of spinal and intracranial epidural abscesses, the rapid treatment of cases of sinusitis, otitis and mastoiditis may decrease the risk of developing the epidural abscess. <ref name="pmid12521560">{{cite journal| author=Greenlee JE| title=Subdural Empyema. | journal=Curr Treat Options Neurol | year= 2003 | volume= 5 | issue= 1 | pages= 13-22 | pmid=12521560 | doi= | pmc=|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12521560  }} </ref> Along with the prevention of head and spinal trauma and the decrease of IV drug abuse.

Revision as of 03:35, 27 March 2014

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]

Overview

An epidural abscess is a rare suppurative infection of the central nervous system, a collection of pus localised in the epidural space lying outside the dura mater, which accounts for less than 2% of focal CNS infections. [1] It may occur in two different places: intracranially or in the spinal canal. Due to the fact that the initial symptoms and clinical characteristics are not always identical and are similar to other diseases, along with the fact that they are both rare conditions, the final diagnosis might be delayed in time. This late diagnosis comes at great cost to the patient, since it is usually accompanied by a bad prognosis and severe complications, with a potential fatal outcome. According to the location of the collection, the abscess may have different origins, different organisms involved, symptoms, evolutions, complications and therapeutical techniques. [2] The treatment of epidural abscess focuses in two main aspects: reduction of the inflammatory mass; and eradication of the responsible organism. These goals can be reached through a combination of therapeutical approaches, including: aspiration, drainage and antibiotic therapy. An early surgical decompression and drainage, followed by an aggressive antibiotic treatment is the ideal procedure to increase the chances of a better outcome.

Primary Prevention

Considering the etiology and pathophysiology of spinal and intracranial epidural abscesses, the rapid treatment of cases of sinusitis, otitis and mastoiditis may decrease the risk of developing the epidural abscess. [3] Along with the prevention of head and spinal trauma and the decrease of IV drug abuse.

References

  1. Longo, Dan L. (Dan Louis) (2012). Harrison's principles of internal medici. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-174889-6.
  2. Danner, R. L.; Hartman, B. J. (1987). "Update of Spinal Epidural Abscess: 35 Cases and Review of the Literature". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 9 (2): 265–274. doi:10.1093/clinids/9.2.265. ISSN 1058-4838.
  3. Greenlee JE (2003). "Subdural Empyema". Curr Treat Options Neurol. 5 (1): 13–22. PMID 12521560.