Epidural abscess history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]; Anthony Gallo, B.S. [3]

Overview

A detailed and thorough history from the patient is necessary. Specific areas of focus when obtaining a history from the patient include immunodeficiency, intravenous drug use, spinal procedure, and trauma. Common symptoms of intracranial epidural abscess include headache, fever, and vomiting. Common symptoms of spinal epidural abscess include back pain, weakness, and persistent pins and needles.

A detailed and thorough history from the patient is necessary. Specific areas of focus when obtaining a history from the patient include:^[1]

Common symptoms of intracranial epidural abscess include:^[2]

Generally, patients with spinal epidural abscess present with unspecific symptoms. Common symptoms of spinal epidural abscess include:^[3]^[4]^[5]

↑ Chao D, Nanda A (2002). “Spinal epidural abscess: a diagnostic challenge”. Am Fam Physician. 65 (7): 1341–6. PMID 11996416.
↑ Fountas KN, Duwayri Y, Kapsalaki E, Dimopoulos VG, Johnston KW, Peppard SB; et al. (2004). “Epidural intracranial abscess as a complication of frontal sinusitis: case report and review of the literature”. South Med J. 97 (3): 279–82, quiz 283. PMID 15043336.
↑ Danner RL, Hartman BJ (1987). “Update on spinal epidural abscess: 35 cases and review of the literature”. Rev Infect Dis. 9 (2): 265–74. PMID 3589332.
↑ Mooney RP, Hockberger RS (1987). “Spinal epidural abscess: a rapidly progressive disease”. Ann Emerg Med. 16 (10): 1168–70. PMID 3662166.
↑ Liem LK, Rigamonti D, Wolf AL, Robinson WL, Edwards CC, DiPatri A (1994). “Thoracic epidural abscess”. J Spinal Disord. 7 (5): 449–54. PMID 7819646.