ABSCESS OF ANTERIOR EPIDURAL SPACE AT THE LEVEL OF THE CERVICAL SPINE

Krotov G.O.¹, Chernikov A.N.², Belyachkov D.O.²

1 - LebGOK-Zdorovie Ltd.

2 - Municipal Hospital №1. Stary Oskol, Russia

Diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a professional challenge in the radiologist practice. This is caused by the fact that the SEA occurs relatively rarely, though it requires immediate surgical intervention.

Purpose. To describe the features of MRI findings of the SEA primary diagnosis and MRI data in the postoperative period. Another purpose is to mark up the clinical features of the SEA.

Materials and methods. The theoretical data on the abscess anterior epidural space at the level of the cervical spine, contained in contemporary medical resources and facts of our own observation of the rare pathology, are set forth. The examination before and after the surgery was performed with the usage of the magnetic resonance scanner Hitachi Aperto Lucent 0.4Т.

Results. The SEA diagnosis was verified by the results of the surgical procedure. Possibilities of MRI in the diagnosis of the SEA, as well as in the evaluation of surgical treatment outcomes are described.

Conclusions. Early diagnosis of the SEA is a prerequisite for a successful surgery. The method of choice for the diagnosis of the SEA is MRI. It is the most accurate method to set the level and the extension of lesion and to examine the condition of the spinal canal structures. It is advisable to apply MRI for the surgical treatment outcomes evaluation.

Keywords: spinal epidural abscess (SEA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

 

Corresponding author:  Krotov G.O., Этот e-mail адрес защищен от спам-ботов, для его просмотра у Вас должен быть включен Javascript

 

For citation: Krotov G.O., Chernikov A.N., Belyachkov D.O. Abscess of anterior epidural space at the level of the cervical spine. REJR. 2016; 6 (3):128-132. DOI:10.21569/2222-7415-2016-6-3-128-132.

 

Received: 11.05.2016 Accepted: 25.05.2016