Spinal epidural abscess following glossectomy and neck dissection: A case report Journal Article


Authors: Cheng, E; Thorpe, E; Borrowdale, R.
Article Title: Spinal epidural abscess following glossectomy and neck dissection: A case report
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Spinal epidural abscess is an uncommon but potentially life threatening entity that rarely occurs after otolaryngology procedures. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a diabetic patient who presented with a lumbar spinal epidural abscess eight days after head and neck oncologic surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an L4 spinal epidural abscess. Cultures from the spinal epidural abscess, blood, urine, and the previous neck incision grew Klebsiella pneumoniae. The patient recovered neurologic function after surgical decompression and drainage, long-term intravenous antibiotics, and physical therapy. DISCUSSION: The development of postoperative spinal epidural abscess is rare after otolaryngology procedures but has been reported in the cervical epidural space. To our knowledge, lumbar spinal epidural abscess has not yet been reported after head and neck oncologic surgery. Even more unique is the presence of the pathogen K. pneumoniae. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion of this potential outcome is paramount as early recognition and intervention are keys to recovery of neurologic function.
Journal Title: International journal of surgery case reports
Volume: 20
ISSN: 2210-2612; 2210-2612
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: Netherlands
Date Published: 2016
Start Page: 33
End Page: 36
Language: eng
DOI/URL:
Notes: LR: 20160415; CI: Published by Elsevier Ltd.; JID: 101529872; OID: NLM: PMC4818289; OTO: NOTNLM; 2015/10/17 [received]; 2016/01/04 [revised]; 2016/01/04 [accepted]; 2016/01/12 [aheadofprint]; ppublish
LUC Authors
  1. Eric Thorpe
    25 Thorpe