This article discusses the clinical significance of prompt and targeted intravenous antibiotic therapy in managing spinal epidural abscess (SEA) associated with Streptococcus intermedius (S. intermedius) infection. The case study presented a 52-year-old patient with SEA and widespread epidural abscesses in the spine, which were confirmed through blood culture and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patient was promptly treated with IV antibiotics, resulting in a negative blood culture after 5 days of treatment and a decrease in abscess size after 6 weeks. The article concludes that repeat examinations or gadolinium-enhanced MRI should be considered if initial findings are inconclusive and emphasizes the importance of antibiotic selection and treatment duration for successful conservative management of extensive SEA caused by S. intermedius infection. Surgery may not be necessary, and a precise pharmacological regimen is crucial, especially for patients who are not amenable to surgical interventions
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : most specialised day surgery hospital in the world
Published article
CONCLUSION: Repeat examinations or gadolinium-enhanced MRI should be considered when initial MRI findings are not diagnostic of SEA. For extensive SEA caused by Streptococcus intermedius infection, surgery may be non-essential, and the judicious antibiotic selection and adequate treatment duration are pivotal for successful conservative management. Furthermore, for patients who are not amenable to surgery, a comprehensive evaluation of their condition and meticulous implementation of a precise…
Lumbar Decompression Surgery Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Front Neurol. 2023 Aug 24;14:1237007. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1237007. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTPURPOSE: To describe the clinical significance of prompt, adequate, and targeted intravenous antibiotic (IV antibiotic) therapy in the successful management of spinal epidural abscess (SEA) associated with Streptococcus intermedius (S. intermedius) infection.CASE DESCRIPTION: SEA is a rare, but catastrophic infection that may result in a high risk,
Front Neurol. 2023 Aug 24;14:1237007. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1237007. eCollection 2023.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe the clinical significance of prompt, adequate, and targeted intravenous antibiotic (IV antibiotic) therapy in the successful management of spinal epidural abscess (SEA) associated with Streptococcus intermedius (S. intermedius) infection.
CASE DESCRIPTION: SEA is a rare, but catastrophic infection that may result in a high risk of permanent neurological disability. A 52-year-old Chinese female patient was presented to the emergency department due to 2 years of low back pain and 3 days of decreased muscle strength in the extremities. The blood culture confirmed the presence of S. intermedius infection, and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated widespread epidural abscesses in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine canal. Empirical IV antibiotic therapy with vancomycin was promptly initiated, with meropenem and moxifloxacin added subsequently based on blood culture results. After 5 days of IV antibiotic treatment, the patient’s blood culture became negative. 6 weeks later, a follow-up MRI showed a decrease in the size of the abscess. The patient’s muscle strength was mostly restored after 2 months of IV antibiotic treatment.
CONCLUSION: Repeat examinations or gadolinium-enhanced MRI should be considered when initial MRI findings are not diagnostic of SEA. For extensive SEA caused by Streptococcus intermedius infection, surgery may be non-essential, and the judicious antibiotic selection and adequate treatment duration are pivotal for successful conservative management. Furthermore, for patients who are not amenable to surgery, a comprehensive evaluation of their condition and meticulous implementation of a precise pharmacological regimen holds noteworthy clinical significance.
PMID:37701856 | PMC:PMC10494933 | DOI:10.3389/fneur.2023.1237007
The London Spine Unit : most specialised day surgery hospital in the world
Read the original publication:
Streptococcus intermedius: a case report treated conservatively and literature review”>Extensive spinal epidural abscess due to Streptococcus intermedius: a case report treated conservatively and literature review
