An epidural abscess occurs between the head and the vertebrae and can quickly damage the nerve tissue. Read more about an epidural abscess below.

Contents

• Epidural abscess
• Symptoms
• Cause
• Research
• Therapy

Epidural abscess

An epidural abscess is a pile of pus that is nestled on or near the spinal cord. Because the pus can accumulate more and more, the abscess presses against the nerve tissue, damaging the membrane of the brain (also called ‘dura’). The chemical ‘toxins’ cause this damage, and are produced by bacteria.

Symptoms

• Paralysis symptoms
• Having an attack that resembles a stroke
• Weakening symptoms on one side of the body
• Confusion
• Higher body temperature
• Convulsions or cramps

Cause

The cause of an epidural abscess is the result of a bacterial infection caused by an unknown reason.

Research

If you have the symptoms mentioned above, go to your doctor to have it checked out. The doctor will look into your past for possible previous infections. The doctor examines using:

• Blood tests
• X-rays
• EEG scan
• CAT scan

Therapy

Fortunately, an epidural abscess is no longer common. This is because this infection can now easily be treated with a course of antibiotics. If, according to the doctor, the antibiotic treatment has not worked, an operation will be performed in which a hole is made in the skull (or bone) and the pus can be removed. After the operation, a course of antibiotics is usually prescribed so that it can heal completely.