Epidural Abscess Complicating Epidural Anesthesia -A Case Report-

Abstract

We report a case of epidural abscess complicating epidural anesthesia. A 64-year-old woman developed a hemopneumothorax after multiple rib fractures, and an epidural catheter was inserted at L1-2 for pain relief. Five days later she complained of severe back pain and temperature elevated to more than 39.0°C. Nine days later MRI showed an epidural abscess of the ventral epidural space between T8 and L4. Because femoral nerve pain was experienced, laminectomy at T12-L2 and closed irrigation were performed. Epidural pus grew Staphylococcus aureus. Follow-up MRI 3 months after surgery showed disappearance of the epidural abscess completely. The patient recovered completely without neurological sequela.