Spinal Epidural Abscess in Children

Abstract

Spinal epidural abscess represents a surgical emergency because it rapidly leads to complete paralysis below the lesion. Early surgical drainage is essential to complete recovery. A review of the 46 cases in children reported in the English literature indicates that the sequence of first symptoms (fever, localized back pain, and radicular pain) should afford early diagnosis in most cases. Staphylococci are the most frequent bacteriologic invaders.