Clinical Stage of Spinal Epidural Abscess

Clinical Findings	Stage
back pain at the level of the affected spine	1
radiating nerve-root pain starting at the affected spinal level	2
sensory deficit; motor deficit; bladder and bowel dysfunction	3
paralysis with eventual paraplegia	4

 

Fever is often present but may be absent or low grade.

 

The "classic triad" of fever, back pain and neurologic deficits is present in only a small percent of patients.

 

Pain may radiate down the arms or legs but also may be limited to the back and trunk.

 

Laboratory findings may include:

(1) leukocytosis

(2) elevated C-reactive protein (CRP)

(3) elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)