Surgical treatment of an all-spine epidural empyema

• Author(s): Reinas, R ; Alves, ÓL ; Kitumba, D ; Baptista, AM
• Date: 2023
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/49840
• Origin: Lusíadas Saúde
• Subject(s): Empiema; Doenças da Coluna Vertebral; Empyema; Spinal Diseases
• Document Type: Journal article
• Language: English
• Contributor(s): Repositório Comum

Description

Spinal epidural empyema (SEE) is a severe infectious disease of the spine which may cause significant morbidity and mortality. Surgical drainage of the empyema is a key feature. However, approach-related morbidity may be significant in very extensive collections. We present the case of a 55-year-old female with an empyema due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus spawning from C2 to S1. She underwent drainage of the pus through skip-level laminectomies and catheter epidural saline irrigation. The technique described was both safe and effective at treating the SEE, and the patient returned to normal life.