July 30, 2014

“Once the classic symptoms appear and a definitive diagnosis is made, the very symptoms we look for have often become irreversible”

• Spinal epidural abscess is an extremely rare diagnosis but a potentially devastating one.
• It has proven to be a difficult ER diagnosis.
• Unfortunately, once the classic symptoms appear and a definitive diagnosis is made, the very symptoms we look for have often become irreversible.
• How can we change the way we evaluate for SEA in order to minimize diagnostic delay and thereby decrease morbidity/mortality?