Epidural Abscess following Sepsis from Infectious Enteritis in an Adult

Abstract

A case of epidural abscess after sepsis caused by infectious enteritis in a 74-year-old woman is reported. Her first symptoms were watery diarrhea and high fever. Two days later, she developed sepsis, DIC, and complained intolerable low-back pain. With antibiotics administration and intensive care, she recovered from sepsis and DIC in a few days. However, she had a daily spiked fever of 39°C, continuous elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP), and severe low-back pain for more than 4 weeks. Gallium scintigram and MRI revealed an epidural abscess in the lumbar region. The abscess was thought to be due to hematogeneous infection during sepsis, because closed inflammatory lesions were not defined. After treatment with antibiotics and total bed rest for 8 weeks, and rehabilitation for 4 weeks, she recovered completely without neurological disorder.