Surgical treatment of an all-spine epidural empyema

• Autor(es): Reinas, R ; Alves, ÓL ; Kitumba, D ; Baptista, AM
• Data: 2023
• Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/49840
• Origem: Lusíadas Saúde
• Assunto(s): Empiema; Doenças da Coluna Vertebral; Empyema; Spinal Diseases
• Tipo de Documento: Artigo científico
• Idioma: Inglês
• Contribuidor(es): Repositório Comum

Descrição

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.