Presentation
Sudden onset neck pain associated with headache, upper limb weakness and altered sensation, shortness of breath and nausea
Patient Data
CT shows left dorsal epidural abscess or collection extending from the craniocervical junction below the foramen magnum at the level of C1 down to the level of C5/C6.
Posterior spinal cord compression at the level of C3.
This collection measures approximately 62x12mm in the coronal plane and 75 x 9mm in the left para-sagittal plane and extends laterally between the spinous processes of C1 and C2.
Case Discussion
Relevant blood workup as follows:
White Cell Count: 18.7 x 10*9/L
Neutrophils: 16.1 x 10*9/L
C-Reactive Protein: 606mg/L
Blood Culture grew Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus.
The patient was transferred to a neurosurgical team at a tertiary center for management.