Spinal epidural abscess post spinal anesthesia: An uncommon complication of a common procedure

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a severe pyogenic infection of the epidural space. Bacteria gain access to the epidural space either by hematogenous spread, contiguous spread from a neighboring infected structure, or through iatrogenic inoculation. The diagnosis of SEA is a challenge, largely because of its rarity. We present here a case of SEA of iatrogenic origin (post spinal anesthesia), which we treated at Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur.

Key-words:

Hematogenous - iatrogenic - pyogenic - spinal epidural abscess

Introduction

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is an extremely uncommon but devastating complication post spinal anesthesia. The initial symptoms are usually nonspecific, and the classic triad of back pain, fever, and neurological deficits is only seen late during the course of the disease which makes it a challenge to make an early diagnosis.[[1]],[[2]] The incidence of SEA has seen a rising trend over the past few decades. A study by Darouiche revealed the prevalence rate to be 0.18–1.96/10,000 hospital admissions.[[3]] A recent study reported the incidence as 5.1/10,000 admissions.[[4]] Grewal et al. suggested the incidence to be 1 in 2000 obstetric epidurals.[[5]] Several risk factors have been identified which contribute to the etiopathogenesis of SEA, the most common of which is diabetes.[[6]] We present here an uncommon case of SEA post spinal anesthesia in the absence of any known risk factors.

Case Report

A 20-year-old female presented to the emergency department with a history of bilateral lower limb weakness and acute urinary retention for the past 1 day. She also had severe lower back pain for the past 1½ months that radiated to both her lower limbs and was aggravated with an increase in physical activity. The severity of the pain progressively increased over time. Her medical history revealed that she underwent a cesarean section under spinal anesthesia 1½ months back and all her symptoms started 3–4 days after the surgery including fever which subsided after 2 weeks following medication by a local doctor. She was nondiabetic and had no abdominal symptoms.

On physical examination, there were icterus, pallor, and tachycardia (110/min) with otherwise stable vital parameters. Abdominal examination showed mild hepatomegaly, and gynecological examination was normal. There was gross sensory diminution of all modalities below the xiphoid. The tone was increased in both lower limbs with obvious bilateral lower limb weakness (Grade 2/5 power around the hip and 3/5 around the knee and ankle). Knee and ankle jerks were exaggerated with bilaterally upgoing plantar. She had tenderness in her whole thoracic and lumbar region with negative signs of meningeal irritation. Routine blood investigation was indicative of acute infection (total leukocyte count: 27000, 90% neutrophils, the presence of toxic granules, total serum bilirubin: 7.5, and C-reactive protein: 13). An urgent contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done which showed a large SEA extending from T2 to S1 with multiple septations and cord compression [[Figure 1]].

Figure 1: (a) Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, T2-weighted sagittal. (b) T2-weighted axial. (c) Postcontrast

A diagnosis of SEA post spinal anesthesia was made. The patient was taken up for emergency surgery, and an L3 laminectomy with drainage of pus was done. Infant feeding tubes were passed cranially and caudally to breech the septations [[Figure 2]]. Broad-spectrum antibiotics (ceftriaxone + amikacin) were started which was changed as per pus culture and sensitivity report (meropenem + linezolid). The causative organism was identified as Staphylococcus aureus. She showed good postoperative recovery and was discharged on day 10. Follow-up at 2 weeks and later after 3 months showed that she was ambulant without support and had recovered fully. She had no hepatomegaly and her blood picture was completely normal. Follow-up MRI showed complete resolution of abscess with lax spinal cord and nerve roots [[Figure 3]].

Figure 2: Infant feeding tube used to breech septations

Figure 3: (a) Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, T2-weighted whole spine. (b) T2-weighted LS spine. (c) T2-weighted axial

Discussion

SEA is an uncommon condition where there is a pyogenic infection of the epidural space. It was rarely seen after epidural catheter placement in obstetric cases. A study conducted in 2002 did not report even a single case of epidural abscess among 5000 cases over a 5-year time period in obstetric patients receiving epidural catheterization.[[7]] However, recent literature suggests a rising trend. Kindlar et al. reported the incidence as 1/2000 obstetric cases.[[8]] SEA poses a unique diagnostic challenge as symptoms are nonspecific to begin with. Back pain is one of the most common early symptoms reported in 90% of cases,[[9]] but being a common complaint postdelivery is frequently overlooked.[[10]] The classical triad of pain, fever, and neurological deficit is often seen late after disease progression. This was observed in our patient too who had back pain soon after the delivery but was finally diagnosed more than a month later when she developed neurological deficits.

Several predisposing risk factors have been identified for SEA which include diabetes mellitus, immunocompromised state, malignant disease, or older age. SEA post spinal anesthesia in a young patient without any predisposing risk factors is extremely rare and makes our case unique. The spread of infection to the epidural space is more commonly through hematogenous spread from another focus of infection or through contiguous spread from the adjacent vertebra or muscle. Iatrogenic causes include spinal surgery, lumbar puncture, or epidural catheterization.[[3]] In our patient, symptoms started few days after she had spinal anesthesia which leads us to the conclusion of it being the etiology.

MRI with contrast is considered the investigation of choice attributed to its 100% sensitivity in diagnosing SEA.[[11]] Imaging findings may be supported by clinical and laboratory data. Blood markers of inflammation may be elevated, but none of them are specific for SEA.[[3]] Our patient presented features of sepsis evidenced by her constitutional septic features and cholestasis leading to hepatomegaly and high bilirubin.[[14]]

Surgical decompression and evacuation of pus is the treatment of choice in most cases. Patients without neurological deficits may be conservatively managed, but those patients need meticulous observation and might need emergency surgery later.[[12]] Our patient presented with neurological deficits and hence was offered immediate surgery. A prompt diagnosis and early surgical intervention is the key for a good recovery.

Postoperatively, broad-spectrum antibiotics are empirically started and modified as per the pus culture/sensitivity report. In our case, we started with ceftriaxone + amikacin later modified to meropenem + linezolid. There is no consensus on the duration of intravenous (IV) antibiotics.[[5]] In our case, IV antibiotics were continued for 4 weeks (IV meropenem for 2 weeks and IV linezolid for 4 weeks), followed by oral antibiotics (linezolid) for another 2 weeks.

The most common organism causing SEA is S. aureus that has been isolated from cultures in two-thirds of all cases [[3]] and was isolated as the causative organism in our case too. Other causative organisms reported are Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and anaerobes.[[11]]

With the common use of spinal anesthesia for cesarean sections and with the increasing use of epidural analgesia for painless labor, the rising trend of SEA post spinal anesthesia does not come as a surprise. This also suggests to put more emphasis on aseptic precautions in conducting these procedures, especially in developing countries. Despite the existence of differences in interpretation of aseptic precautions, standard aseptic precautions include the use of sterilized gowns, gloves, facemasks, and an appropriately placed sterile drape as well as a thorough skin treatment and handwashing after the removal of any jewelry.[[13]] Their widespread implementation is extremely important in preventing such cases.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot bechrological order guaranteed.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

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Publication History

Received: 11 April 2020

Accepted: 03 July 2020

Article published online:
16 August 2022