Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess: Illustration of Two Cases and Review of Literature

Abstract Intramedullary spinal cord abscess is a rare infection of the spinal cord with less than 120 cases reported since its first description by Hart in 1830. It is usually associated with abnormalities of the spinal cord or documented source of infection or immunodeficiency, requiring clinical r...

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Main Authors: Raj S. Chandran, Rajmohan Bhanuprabhakar, Sivakumar Sumukhan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2017-03-01
Series:Indian Journal of Neurosurgery
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Online Access:http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0036-1588039
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author Raj S. Chandran
Rajmohan Bhanuprabhakar
Sivakumar Sumukhan
author_facet Raj S. Chandran
Rajmohan Bhanuprabhakar
Sivakumar Sumukhan
author_sort Raj S. Chandran
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Intramedullary spinal cord abscess is a rare infection of the spinal cord with less than 120 cases reported since its first description by Hart in 1830. It is usually associated with abnormalities of the spinal cord or documented source of infection or immunodeficiency, requiring clinical radiological suspicion for accurate diagnosis. The first case is a middle-aged healthy woman without any underlying risk factors, presented with progressive paraparesis, in whom prompt, accurate diagnosis with contrast magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and apparent diffusion coefficient mapping followed by early surgery was possible, which resulted in the favorable neurological outcome. The second case is a 10-year-old boy with paraparesis whose definite treatment and surgery was delayed due to a delay in accurate clinical and radiological diagnosis which resulted in poor outcomes. Hence, we try to establish that prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment can result in a favorable neurological outcome, though the prognosis, in general, is poor in this clinical condition. A review of literature in support of our cases is given.
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institution Kabale University
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language English
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spelling doaj-art-aadf9d7a286c4c7e84a61a1fb14ceced2025-08-20T03:39:40ZengThieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.Indian Journal of Neurosurgery2277-954X2277-91672017-03-01060103103510.1055/s-0036-1588039Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess: Illustration of Two Cases and Review of LiteratureRaj S. Chandran0Rajmohan Bhanuprabhakar1Sivakumar Sumukhan2Department of Neurosurgery, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, IndiaDepartment of Neurosurgery, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, IndiaT D Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala, IndiaAbstract Intramedullary spinal cord abscess is a rare infection of the spinal cord with less than 120 cases reported since its first description by Hart in 1830. It is usually associated with abnormalities of the spinal cord or documented source of infection or immunodeficiency, requiring clinical radiological suspicion for accurate diagnosis. The first case is a middle-aged healthy woman without any underlying risk factors, presented with progressive paraparesis, in whom prompt, accurate diagnosis with contrast magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and apparent diffusion coefficient mapping followed by early surgery was possible, which resulted in the favorable neurological outcome. The second case is a 10-year-old boy with paraparesis whose definite treatment and surgery was delayed due to a delay in accurate clinical and radiological diagnosis which resulted in poor outcomes. Hence, we try to establish that prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment can result in a favorable neurological outcome, though the prognosis, in general, is poor in this clinical condition. A review of literature in support of our cases is given.http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0036-1588039intramedullaryspinal cord abscesscontrast mridwimyelotomy
spellingShingle Raj S. Chandran
Rajmohan Bhanuprabhakar
Sivakumar Sumukhan
Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess: Illustration of Two Cases and Review of Literature
Indian Journal of Neurosurgery
intramedullary
spinal cord abscess
contrast mri
dwi
myelotomy
title Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess: Illustration of Two Cases and Review of Literature
title_full Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess: Illustration of Two Cases and Review of Literature
title_fullStr Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess: Illustration of Two Cases and Review of Literature
title_full_unstemmed Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess: Illustration of Two Cases and Review of Literature
title_short Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess: Illustration of Two Cases and Review of Literature
title_sort intramedullary spinal cord abscess illustration of two cases and review of literature
topic intramedullary
spinal cord abscess
contrast mri
dwi
myelotomy
url http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0036-1588039
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AT rajmohanbhanuprabhakar intramedullaryspinalcordabscessillustrationoftwocasesandreviewofliterature
AT sivakumarsumukhan intramedullaryspinalcordabscessillustrationoftwocasesandreviewofliterature