{"id":"c1c5185f-12f5-41ca-9799-96bc29e56964","slug":"a-rare-case-of-full-recovery-following-delayed-presentation-of-paraplegia-secondary-to-thoracic-epidural-abscess-a-case-report-and-review-of-the-literature","title":"A rare case of full recovery following delayed presentation of paraplegia secondary to thoracic epidural abscess: A case report and review of the literature","authors":["Oluwaseyi Adebola","Nitin Adsul","Debasish Pal"],"abstract":"Background: Timely diagnosis and prompt management of thoracic epidural abscesses are vital to preventing the onset of irreversible paralysis and death. Case Description: A 39-year-old female was managed initially for non-specific chest pain for 10 days (i.e., diagnosis of respiratory tract infection). After she developed paraplegia (0/5 motor function), a T10 sensory level, and acute urinary retention, a thoracic magnetic resonance with contrast revealed a T3–T7 spinal epidural abscess with cord compression. On review of her lab studies revealed a white blood cell count of 11.03 × 109/L and a C-reactive protein level of 122 mg/dL. Following a T3–T7 laminectomy with evacuation of an extradural empyema, she fully recovered. Conclusion: This case report emphasizes the need for early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of thoracic epidural abscesses that are too often mis-diagnosed as respiratory infections.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/c1c5185f-12f5-41ca-9799-96bc29e56964/featured/hero-1781559932948.png","publishDate":"2023-11-03T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_736_2023","categories":["Spine","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/12625/SNI-14-386.pdf"}