{"id":"24e8208f-5bd5-4e16-846f-e41093bcc413","slug":"skip-hemilaminectomy-for-the-treatment-of-holospinal-epidural-abscess-a-single-center-experience","title":"Skip hemilaminectomy for the treatment of holospinal epidural abscess: A single-center experience","authors":["Alessandro Di Rienzo","Riccardo Paracino","Valentina Liverotti","Maurizio Gladi","Mauro Dobran"],"abstract":"Background: Holospinal epidural abscesses (HEAs) are rare with potentially devastating consequences. Urgent bony decompression and abscess evacuation with long-term antibiotic therapy are typically the treatment of choice. Methods: We reviewed cases of holospinal HEAs operated on between 2009 and 2018. Variables studied included preoperative laboratories, CT/MR studies plus clinical and radiographic follow-up for between 34 and 60 postoperative months. Results: We utilized skip hemilaminectomies to minimize the risks of segmental instability. Targeted antibiotic therapy was also started immediately and maintained for 6 postoperative weeks. MR/CT studies documented full radiographic and neurological recovery between 6 and 12-months later. Conclusion: HEAs may be treated utilizing multilevel skip hemilaminectomies to help maintain spinal stability while offering adequate abscess decompression/resolution.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/24e8208f-5bd5-4e16-846f-e41093bcc413/featured/hero-1781561725580.png","publishDate":"2021-12-30T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_1148_2021","categories":["Spine","Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/11315/SNI-12-625.pdf"}