{"id":"f4cc339b-10d2-4cf4-bc0b-df5a61ced2c5","slug":"chronic-thoracolumbar-subdural-empyema-case-report-and-surgical-management","title":"Chronic thoracolumbar subdural empyema: Case report and surgical management","authors":["Azam Basheer","Mohamed Macki","Morenikeji Buraimoh","Asim Mahmood"],"abstract":"Background: Spinal cord abscesses and spinal subdural empyemas are rare and difficult to treat. Case Description: A 35-year-old male presented to an outside institution with 2 months of progressive low back pain, weakness, and bowel incontinence; he was diagnosed with an L4 epidural abscess that was poorly managed. When the patient presented to our institution, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-organized chronic subdural abscess at the thoracolumbar junction. Following resection, his back pain resolved but he was left with a residual paraparesis. Conclusion: Subdural abscesses are rare and should be considered among the differential diagnoses for intraspinal mass lesions. Treatment should include prompt surgical exploration and decompression combined with appropriate prolonged antibiotic treatment.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/f4cc339b-10d2-4cf4-bc0b-df5a61ced2c5/featured/hero-1782420908457.png","publishDate":"2017-08-01T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/sni.sni_171_17","categories":["Infection","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/f4cc339b-10d2-4cf4-bc0b-df5a61ced2c5/pdf"}