Epidural abscess formation with an atypical pathogen following epidural steroid injection: A case report. 2022

Jae Young Lee, and Jun Woo Kim, and Yong Jae Na, and Taikon Kim, and Seung Hoon Han
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

BACKGROUND Subcutaneous and epidural abscesses following epidural injection are a serious but rare complication. Epidural abscesses are typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacterial infection. In this case presented here, the causative bacterium was Enterococcus faecalis. METHODS A 67-year-old woman having chronic lower back and right leg pain with past history of 20 years of rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis (T-score: -2.7) visited the outpatient pain clinic. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed L4-5 right central disc extrusion with inferior migration. We performed a continuous epidural block for 7 days without complications. After 10 days, she presented with worsened low back pain, erythematous skin change on the lower back, chilling, and elevated serum acute phase reactants. METHODS The diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by MRI suggesting subcutaneous and epidural abscess. Blood and pus cultures showed the growth of E. faecalis. METHODS Pigtail catheter drainage was performed and intravenous antibiotics (ampicillin-sulbactam) targeting E. faecalis were applied for 3 weeks. Oral antibiotics (amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate) were applied for 6 weeks after discharge. RESULTS At the 2-month follow-up, improvement in both the clinical condition and serum acute phase reactants levels were noted. CONCLUSIONS Epidural injection can lead to a subcutaneous abscess that is further extended into the epidural space. One of the key factors is the presence of comorbid conditions, including diabetes mellitus and prolonged steroid usage due to rheumatoid arthritis.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003920 Diabetes Mellitus A heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by HYPERGLYCEMIA and GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE.
D004824 Epidural Space Space between the dura mater and the walls of the vertebral canal. Epidural Spaces,Space, Epidural,Spaces, Epidural
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000209 Acute-Phase Proteins Proteins that are secreted into the blood in increased or decreased quantities by hepatocytes in response to trauma, inflammation, or disease. These proteins can serve as inhibitors or mediators of the inflammatory processes. Certain acute-phase proteins have been used to diagnose and follow the course of diseases or as tumor markers. Acute Phase Reactant,Acute-Phase Glycoprotein,Acute-Phase Reactant,Acute-Phase Reactants,Proteins, Acute-Phase,Reactants, Acute-Phase,Acute-Phase Glycoproteins,Acute-Phase Protein,Acute Phase Glycoprotein,Acute Phase Glycoproteins,Acute Phase Protein,Acute Phase Proteins,Acute Phase Reactants,Glycoprotein, Acute-Phase,Glycoproteins, Acute-Phase,Phase Reactant, Acute,Protein, Acute-Phase,Proteins, Acute Phase,Reactant, Acute Phase,Reactant, Acute-Phase,Reactants, Acute Phase
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000900 Anti-Bacterial Agents Substances that inhibit the growth or reproduction of BACTERIA. Anti-Bacterial Agent,Anti-Bacterial Compound,Anti-Mycobacterial Agent,Antibacterial Agent,Antibiotics,Antimycobacterial Agent,Bacteriocidal Agent,Bacteriocide,Anti-Bacterial Compounds,Anti-Mycobacterial Agents,Antibacterial Agents,Antibiotic,Antimycobacterial Agents,Bacteriocidal Agents,Bacteriocides,Agent, Anti-Bacterial,Agent, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agent, Antibacterial,Agent, Antimycobacterial,Agent, Bacteriocidal,Agents, Anti-Bacterial,Agents, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agents, Antibacterial,Agents, Antimycobacterial,Agents, Bacteriocidal,Anti Bacterial Agent,Anti Bacterial Agents,Anti Bacterial Compound,Anti Bacterial Compounds,Anti Mycobacterial Agent,Anti Mycobacterial Agents,Compound, Anti-Bacterial,Compounds, Anti-Bacterial
D001172 Arthritis, Rheumatoid A chronic systemic disease, primarily of the joints, marked by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes and articular structures, widespread fibrinoid degeneration of the collagen fibers in mesenchymal tissues, and by atrophy and rarefaction of bony structures. Etiology is unknown, but autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated. Rheumatoid Arthritis
D013203 Staphylococcal Infections Infections with bacteria of the genus STAPHYLOCOCCUS. Infections, Staphylococcal,Staphylococcus aureus Infection,Staphylococcal Infection,Staphylococcus aureus Infections
D013256 Steroids A group of polycyclic compounds closely related biochemically to TERPENES. They include cholesterol, numerous hormones, precursors of certain vitamins, bile acids, alcohols (STEROLS), and certain natural drugs and poisons. Steroids have a common nucleus, a fused, reduced 17-carbon atom ring system, cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene. Most steroids also have two methyl groups and an aliphatic side-chain attached to the nucleus. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed) Steroid,Catatoxic Steroids,Steroids, Catatoxic

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