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CASE REPORT

Acute Spinal Epidural Abscess of the Cervical Spine Caused by Streptococcus constellatus Leads to Paraplegia in an Adult: A Case Report

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Pages 1591-1598 | Received 19 Jan 2023, Accepted 11 Mar 2023, Published online: 18 Mar 2023
 

Abstract

The incidence of a spinal epidural abscess (SEA), which can cause serious neurological complications, is low; however, the incidence of SEA caused by Streptococcus is even lower, most of which are reported in the thoracolumbar spine and lumbosacral segment. We reported a case of cervical SEA caused by Streptococcus constellatus infection, resulting in paralysis of the patient. The acute onset of SEA in a 44-year-old male led to decreased upper limb muscle strength, lower limb paralysis, and loss of bowel and bladder function, and imaging and blood tests suggested pyogenic spondylitis. Emergency decompression surgery and antibiotic therapy were given, the patient gradually recovered, and the muscle strength of the lower limbs gradually improved. This case report suggests the importance of early decompressive surgery and effective antibiotic therapy.

Patient Consent and Ethics Statement

Compliance with ethical standards. The patient provided informed consent for publication of the case, which included the publication of the patient’s own clinically relevant images No institutional approval was required for the publishing of this case report.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

Wen Zhang and Yudong Lai are co-first authors for this study. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The present study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (grant nos. ZR2021QH045 and ZR2021MH169).