Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

14 August 2012

Epidural abscess caused by Mycobacterium abscessus

Charles Edwards, Matthew Diveronica, Erika Abel

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.883324

Am J Case Rep 2012; 13:180-182

Abstract

Background: Mycobacterium abscessus is a member of the Rapidly Growing Mycobacterium (RGM). The incidence of Mycobacterium abscessus infections has steadily been increasing over the last decade. We report the case of an epidural abscess caused by Mycobacterium abscessus. RGM’s have infrequently been reported as spinal infections and we found no prior cases reporting M. abscessus as the definitive etiologic agent of an epidural abscess.
Case Report: A 50 year old female presented with significant back pain and was found to have an epidural abscess by magnetic resonance imaging. The abscess was drained via needle. Initial cultures were negative for bacterial pathogens, and the patient was discharged to a skilled nursing facility for empiric antibiotic treatment. Eventually the culture grew Mycobacterium abscessus. The patient had unfortunately left the nursing facility and was lost to follow up.
Conclusions: Mycobacterium abscessus is an increasingly recognized pathogen with particular risk factors that physicians should be aware of. Central nervous system infections are rare, but do occur. Treatment is difficult, though multiple antibiotic regimens have been reported successful. Surgical debridement is often needed.

Keywords: Mycobacterium abscessus, Epidural Abscess, osteomyelitis

Add Comment 0 Comments

In Press

Case report  India

HIV-Negative African American Man with Gastrointestinal Kaposi Sarcoma Associated with Adalimumab Treatment...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.947163  

Case report  Switzerland

Adult Acute Appendicitis Complicated by Intestinal Malrotation: A Case Analysis

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.949194  

Case report  China

Innovative Reconstruction of Depressed Abdominal Scars Using Adipofascial Flaps and W-Plasty

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.948731  

Case report  China

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with Cardiac Metastasis: A Case Report

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.947386  

Most Viewed Current Articles

21 Jun 2024 : Case report  China (mainland) 101,839

Intracranial Parasitic Fetus in a Living Infant: A Case Study with Surgical Intervention and Prognosis Anal...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.944371

Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e944371

0:00

07 Mar 2024 : Case report  USA 54,458

Neurocysticercosis Presenting as Migraine in the United States

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.943133

Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943133

0:00

20 Nov 2023 : Case report  Saudi Arabia 38,088

Azithromycin Treatment for Acne Vulgaris: A Case Report on the Risk of Clostridioides difficile Infection

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.941424

Am J Case Rep 2023; 24:e941424

0:00

07 Jul 2023 : Case report  Saudi Arabia 25,936

A Classical Case of Cesarean Scar Endometriosis in a 35-Year-Old Woman Presenting with Cyclical Abdominal P...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.940200

Am J Case Rep 2023; 24:e940200

0:00

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923