Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Vertebrae Central nervous system

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Spinal cord abscess

Alternative Names: Abscess - spinal cord Symptoms: fever chills backache in the lower back often mild progressively worsening typically radiating to hip, leg, or feet may radiate to the shoulder, arm, or hand sudden or rapid progression of neurologic symptoms loss of movement of an area of the body weakness or paralysis loss of sensation of an area of the body numbness in a specific, limited area (localized) loss of bladder or bowel control inability to retain feces (fecal incontinence) unable to keep from leaking urine (urinary incontinence) male impotence Signs and tests: An examination often shows localized tenderness over the spine. A neurologic examination may indicate spinal cord compression, with involvement of the lower body (paraplegia) or the entire trunk, arms, and legs (quadriplegia). The extent of neurologic losses corresponds with the location of the lesion on the spine and with the amount of spinal cord compression. Text Continues Below A CSF examination may be normal or may contain a few white blood cells and slightly elevated protein levels. A CT scan or MRI confirm epidural abscess. Dye may be necessary for CT scan to show a clear picture of the abscess. A culture of material obtained by surgical drainage of the abscess will determine the specific microorganism(s) responsible for the infection.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.