Localized Cervical Extradural Abscess

XTRADURAL abscess of the spinal canal, whether due to hematogenous spread of infection from a distant focus or to direct extension from a nearby source, usually an osteomyelitis of the adjacent vertebrae, is an extremely serious but fortunately uncommon condition. Up to 1946, Rankin and Flothow 15 were able to collect only 225 cases from the world literature. The majority of abscesses have been reported at the thoracic and lumbar levels, the cervical spine rarely being involved. The morbidity and mortality in this disease have been extremely high. We are reporting the successful treatment of a patient who was quadriplegic as a result of a localized cervical epidural abscess.