A rare case of full recovery following delayed presentation of paraplegia secondary to thoracic epidural abscess: A case report and review of the literature

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.

INTRODUCTION

It is vital to obtain an early diagnosis and surgery to limit neurological morbidity/paralysis associated with thoracic epidural abscesses. Risk factors for the development of spinal epidural abscesses (SEAs) include diabetes mellitus, intravenous drug use, end-stage kidney disease, and prior surgery.[1]

Only 10% of patients present with the full triad of back pain, fever, and neurological deficits (i.e., varying from non-specific to paraplegia).[4]

Here, a 39-year-old female with a thoracic epidural abscess had a delayed diagnosis for 10 days. She was initially managed for a respiratory infection before an acute onset of paraplegia led to her having imaging that revealed an spinal epidural abscess (SEA).

CASE REPORT

A 39-year-old presented with the acute onset of right-sided chest pain. She was afebrile but was found to have a mildly elevated white blood cell count (WBC) and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). She was discharged on antibiotics with the diagnosis of a chest infection ± pleurisy. Nevertheless, she again presented with unrelenting chest pain over the 8 days following her initial visit. Eight days following her initial visit she had a negative computed tomography angiography for a pulmonary embolism. Ten days after her original presentation, she re-presented with a 22 h history of paraplegia (0/5 motor), a T10 sensory level, and acute urinary retention (American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Grade A). The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with/without contrast showed a T3– T7 SEA with cord compression [Figure 1]. Now with a WBC of 11.03 × 109/L and CRP of 122 mg/dL. She underwent a T3– T7 laminectomy for evacuation of an extradural empyema; intraoperatively, the findings included thick/organized pus compressing the spinal cord to the left. The postoperative MRI scan showed adequate cord decompression [Figure 2].

Figure 1:

Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): (a) Sagittal T1-weighted; (b) T2-weighted (T2W); and (c) axial T2W MRI sequences showing a T3–T7 spinal epidural abscess with significant cord compression.

Figure 2:

Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): (a) Sagittal T1-weighted, (b) T2-weighted (T2W), and (c) axial T2W MRI sequences done 48 h postoperatively showed good postsurgical appearances with significant evacuation of the epidural empyema and relief of the cord compression. There was a small volume residual cord signal changed at T5–6.

Cultures and postoperative course

The intraoperative cultures grew a group A Streptococcus. Her inflammatory markers improved on Intravenous (IV) benzylpenicillin; she completed a 6 week course of this medication.

She was discharged 24 days after her admission and within 8 post-discharge weeks had 5/5 motor function in both lower extremities, but still required intermittent catheterization (ASIA Grade E).

DISCUSSION

SEA occurs in 0.2–2.8 cases/10,000 patients/year; the mortality rate is 15–20%.[3] The classic triad of SEA, which includes back pain, fever, and neurological deficit, is found in just 10% of patients.[4] Typically, complete preoperative paralysis for 24–36 h is associated with poor outcomes/ long term neurological deficits; only a handful of patients show complete recovery.[5] Here, the patient underwent a T3–T7 thoracic laminectomy about 27 h after the onset of complete paraplegia. According to Connor et al.,[2] in 2013, 66.7% of patients underwent decompressive surgery within 72 h with 56.1% undergoing surgery in under 24 h. Other series documented a statistically significant chance of incomplete recovery with delays of 1.3 ± 1 day. Notably, the neurological status immediately preceding surgery was the strongest predictor of the postoperative neurological outcome.[5] In the case presented above, intraoperative cultures grew group A Streptococcus, and the patient received a 6-week course of IV benzylpenicillin. Other studies substantiate the efficacy of such adjunctive antibiotic therapy.

CONCLUSION

We report a 39-year-old female with a thoracic epidural abscess, misdiagnosed for 10 days with a respiratory infection, became paraplegic. Eight weeks after a T3–T7 laminectomy, she regained 5/5 motor function but still required intermittent catheterization.

Declaration of patient consent

Patient’s consent not required as patient’s identity is not disclosed or compromised.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for manuscript preparation

The authors confirm that there was no use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for assisting in the writing or editing of the manuscript and no images were manipulated using AI.

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