A 50-year-old woman with a history of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) presented to the emergency department (ED) with right hip pain for 1 week. The pain was described as constant, non-radiating, and worse with weight bearing. She denied any trauma, fevers, intravenous drug use, or recent surgery. Physical exam revealed a well-appearing afebrile patient with an antalgic gait slightly favoring her left side. The patient did not have hip or back tenderness, pain with axial loading, or ranging of the hip or knee. Labs were notable for glucose 465, WBC 19.1 with 12% bands. Computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast of abdomen and pelvis was done to assess for a possible psoas abscess.

SPINAL EPIDURAL ABSCESS

First described in 1761, spinal epidural abscess is a rare diagnosis occurring in 0.2–2 cases per 10,000 hospital admissions¹. The classic triad of back pain, fever, and neurologic symptoms is specific however not sensitive, 99% and 13% respectively, as found in one study.² The imaging modality of choice is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) however, it is occasionally visualized on CT.³ Risk factors include an immunologically compromised host, concomitant distant site of infection, or recent back trauma or instrumentation.² Treatment consists of broad-spectrum IV antibiotics and neurosurgical decompression.⁴

CASE CONCLUSION

The CT revealed gas within the paraspinous musculature and epidural space of the lumbar spine. Along with an epidural abscess with gas-forming bacteria, the differential diagnosis includes discitis and degenerative spine disease. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, confirmatory MRI and neurosurgical consultation were initiated immediately and the patient did well with treatment.