Intramedullary Spinal Cord Abscess With Brain Abscess Secondary to Empyema: A Report of a Rare Case

TL;DR

A rare case of spinal and brain abscesses in a diabetic patient was successfully treated with antibiotics alone, avoiding surgery.

Contribution

This case report highlights the successful non-surgical treatment of a rare combination of intramedullary spinal cord and brain abscesses.

Findings

Antimicrobial therapy alone resolved the abscesses without the need for surgery.

The patient showed no recurrence or neurological deficits at one-year follow-up.

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are critical for favorable outcomes.

Abstract

Intramedullary spinal cord abscess (ISCA) is a rare condition that requires prompt intervention. We report the case of a 60-year-old Japanese man with type 2 diabetes who was diagnosed with ISCA and a concomitant brain abscess during antibiotic treatment for empyema. Antimicrobial therapy alone led to remission and obviated the need for surgery following diagnosis. At the one-year follow-up, the patient showed no sequelae or recurrence. Early diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are crucial for improving prognosis and minimizing permanent neurological deficits.

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