Cervical Epidural Abscess due to Klebsiella Pneumoniae in a Metamphetamine Addict
Yoon-Seok Ha, MD1, Ju-Young Na, MD1, Meyung-Kug Kim, MD1, Bong-Goo Yoo, MD1 and Dae-Yong Kim, MD2
1Departments of Neurology, 2Neurosurgery, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
ABSTRACT
Background: Spinal epidural abscess is a severe, generally pyogenic infection of the epidural space requiring emergent neurological intervention to avoid permanent neurological deficits. A drug abuse is an important risk factor for the development of spinal epidural abscess. Klebsiella pneumoniae is very rare pathogen for spinal epidural abscess. Case Report: A 43-year-old man who is a methamphetamine abuse presented with fever, headache and altered mentality. Quadriplegia occurred despite of antibiotics therapy. C-spine MRI revealed a spinal epidural abscess from C5 to T1 space. Klebsiella pneumonia was isolated in culture of abscess. Conclusions: We report a case of cervical epidural abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae in a methamphetamine addict. Although early diagnosis is warranted for spinal epidural abscess, it is still difficult when patients present atypical symptoms.