Epidural abscess classification

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

Epidural abscess may be classified according to the location of the infection into 2 groups: intracranial and spinal.^[1] Additionally, spinal epidural abscess can be further classified based on the duration of symptoms into either acute or chronic.

Classification

Epidural abscess may be classified according to the location of the infection into 2 groups: intracranial and spinal.^[1]

Intracranial Epidural Abscess

The abscess is limited on the inner side by the cranial dura mater and on the outer side by the cranial bone.^[2]

Spinal Epidural Abscess

The abscess is limited on the inner side by the spinal dura mater and on the outer side, by the spinal canal.^[3] Spinal epidural abscess can be further classified based on the duration of symptoms into either acute or chronic.

Acute

Fever
Systemic toxicity
Peripheral leukocytosis
Usually posterior to spinal cord

Chronic

Fever absent
No elevated inflammation markers
Usually anterior to spinal cord

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 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.
↑ 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.
↑ Strauss I, Carmi-Oren N, Hassner A, Shapiro M, Giladi M, Lidar Z (2013). “Spinal epidural abscess: in search of reasons for an increased incidence”. Isr Med Assoc J. 15 (9): 493–6. PMID 24340840.

[DannerHartman1987-1] 1.0 ^1.1 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.

[pmid15043336-2] 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.

[pmid24340840-3] Strauss I, Carmi-Oren N, Hassner A, Shapiro M, Giladi M, Lidar Z (2013). “Spinal epidural abscess: in search of reasons for an increased incidence”. Isr Med Assoc J. 15 (9): 493–6. PMID 24340840.

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