Unusual case of staphylococcus epidermidis-induced spinal epidural abscess in an adolescent: Clinical insights and diagnostic considerations
Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is an uncommon infection typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus, predominantly affecting older adults with risk factors such as advanced age, comorbidities, and prior surgical interventions. This report details a case involving a 14-year-old male presenting with acut...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Radiology Case Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325001530 |
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| author | Saja Karaja Ayham Qatza Mulham Alkassem Ahmed Aldolly Ahmed Sheikh Sobeh Mai Halloum Amer Al Tawekji Wardan Almir Tamer, MD |
| author_facet | Saja Karaja Ayham Qatza Mulham Alkassem Ahmed Aldolly Ahmed Sheikh Sobeh Mai Halloum Amer Al Tawekji Wardan Almir Tamer, MD |
| author_sort | Saja Karaja |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is an uncommon infection typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus, predominantly affecting older adults with risk factors such as advanced age, comorbidities, and prior surgical interventions. This report details a case involving a 14-year-old male presenting with acute lumbar pain, lower limb weakness, urinary retention, and skin pustules. The patient had no history of immunologic diseases, diabetes, or drug use. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium demonstrated a peripheral fluid signal surrounding the thoracic spinal cord, consistent with an epidural abscess from T9-T12 to L1, causing spinal cord compression. Cultures from the abscess and skin pustules identified Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). The patient underwent surgical drainage and remained stable postoperatively. This case highlights an unusual SEA presentation in an adolescent without typical risk factors, emphasizing the importance of considering atypical pathogens and further investigation into infection sources. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c8fa16ecab1d4842b7b0069bbc362ebc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1930-0433 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Radiology Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-c8fa16ecab1d4842b7b0069bbc362ebc2025-08-20T02:16:55ZengElsevierRadiology Case Reports1930-04332025-06-012062699270310.1016/j.radcr.2025.02.051Unusual case of staphylococcus epidermidis-induced spinal epidural abscess in an adolescent: Clinical insights and diagnostic considerationsSaja Karaja0Ayham Qatza1Mulham Alkassem2Ahmed Aldolly3Ahmed Sheikh Sobeh4Mai Halloum5Amer Al Tawekji6Wardan Almir Tamer, MD7Faculty of Medicine, Hama University, Hama, SyriaFaculty of Medicine, Hama University, Hama, Syria; Corresponding author.Faculty of Medicine, Hama University, Hama, SyriaFaculty of Medicine, Hama University, Hama, SyriaFaculty of Medicine, Hama University, Hama, SyriaFaculty of Medicine, Hama University, Hama, SyriaHama National Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Hama, SyriaFaculty of Medicine, Hama University, Hama, SyriaSpinal epidural abscess (SEA) is an uncommon infection typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus, predominantly affecting older adults with risk factors such as advanced age, comorbidities, and prior surgical interventions. This report details a case involving a 14-year-old male presenting with acute lumbar pain, lower limb weakness, urinary retention, and skin pustules. The patient had no history of immunologic diseases, diabetes, or drug use. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium demonstrated a peripheral fluid signal surrounding the thoracic spinal cord, consistent with an epidural abscess from T9-T12 to L1, causing spinal cord compression. Cultures from the abscess and skin pustules identified Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). The patient underwent surgical drainage and remained stable postoperatively. This case highlights an unusual SEA presentation in an adolescent without typical risk factors, emphasizing the importance of considering atypical pathogens and further investigation into infection sources.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325001530Spinal epidural abscessSpinal infectionStaphylococcus epidermidisCase report |
| spellingShingle | Saja Karaja Ayham Qatza Mulham Alkassem Ahmed Aldolly Ahmed Sheikh Sobeh Mai Halloum Amer Al Tawekji Wardan Almir Tamer, MD Unusual case of staphylococcus epidermidis-induced spinal epidural abscess in an adolescent: Clinical insights and diagnostic considerations Radiology Case Reports Spinal epidural abscess Spinal infection Staphylococcus epidermidis Case report |
| title | Unusual case of staphylococcus epidermidis-induced spinal epidural abscess in an adolescent: Clinical insights and diagnostic considerations |
| title_full | Unusual case of staphylococcus epidermidis-induced spinal epidural abscess in an adolescent: Clinical insights and diagnostic considerations |
| title_fullStr | Unusual case of staphylococcus epidermidis-induced spinal epidural abscess in an adolescent: Clinical insights and diagnostic considerations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unusual case of staphylococcus epidermidis-induced spinal epidural abscess in an adolescent: Clinical insights and diagnostic considerations |
| title_short | Unusual case of staphylococcus epidermidis-induced spinal epidural abscess in an adolescent: Clinical insights and diagnostic considerations |
| title_sort | unusual case of staphylococcus epidermidis induced spinal epidural abscess in an adolescent clinical insights and diagnostic considerations |
| topic | Spinal epidural abscess Spinal infection Staphylococcus epidermidis Case report |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325001530 |
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