Spinal epidural abscess due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a patient with AIDS

Description: Braz J Infect Dis vol.10 no.2 Salvador Apr. 2006
Humberto Metta; Marcelo Corti; Liliana Redini; Claudio Yampolsky; Ricardo Schtirbu Unit 17 and Division of HIV/AIDS, Infectious Diseases F.J. Muñiz Hospital; Buenos Aires, Argentina
Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare infectious disorder that often has delayed diagnosis and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. We present a case of an AIDS patient with a SEA due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This type of SEA in AIDS patients is characterized by localized spinal pain and prolonged fever. Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice in the diagnostic process. Early diagnosis, followed by specific therapy (surgical decompression combined with antituberculous drugs), is necessary to improve the prognosis of these kinds of patients.