| Spinal
epidural abscess is a pocket of infection around the covering of the
spinal cord, known as the dura. These may present with back
pain, fevers, and progressive neurological deficit. Risk factors
for this disease include diabetes, chronic renal failure, and IV drug
abuse. Deterioration of neurological function from normal to
paraplegia (paralysis below the level of the lesion: for a thoracic
lesion, paralysis of the lower extremities) may be one week.
Treatment may be surgical or medical, with antibiotics. Outcome
is often poor. 20% of patients will die. Patients with
severe neurologic deficit rarely improve. |
Glossary 
