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Description

A spinal epidural abscess can be staged based on clinical findings.


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)

 


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