Acute Spinal Epidural Abscess: A Case in an Infant with Recovery

Acute spinal epidural abscess is a neurosurgical emergency in which early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential if permanent cord damage is to be avoided. For this reason, this uncommon condition has become well-recognized in recent years, and many full accounts have appeared. However, most of the patients described have been adults, and the following case is reported to illustrate the difficulties of diagnosis in a baby before the appearance of neurological signs. Case Report P.S. was born on April 11, 1955, and was three weeks overdue. The birth weight was 8 lb. 8 oz. and the delivery was normal. There was some neonatal skin-sepsis, presumably staphylococcal in origin. At the age of 11 weeks he was admitted to the Belgrave Hospital for