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Deprecated: Implicit conversion from float 211.6 to int loses precision in C:\Inetpub\vhosts\kidney.de\httpdocs\pget.php on line 534 Surg+Neurol+Int 2015 ; 6 (Suppl 19): S504-7 Nephropedia Template TP
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What are we waiting for? An argument for early surgery for spinal epidural abscesses #MMPMID26605113
Epstein NE
Surg Neurol Int 2015[]; 6 (Suppl 19): S504-7 PMID26605113show ga
Background:: In the article: Timing and prognosis of surgery for spinal epidural abscess (SEA): A review, Epstein raises one major point; it is imperative that spinal surgeons ?take back decision-making? from our medical cohorts and reinstitute early surgery (<24 h) to better treat SEAs. Methods:: Spine surgeons recognize the clinical triad (e.g., fever [50%], spinal pain [92?100%], and neurological deficits [47%]) for establishing the diagnosis of an SEA. We also appreciate the multiple major risk factors for developing SEA; diabetes (15?30%), elevated white blood cell count (>12.5), high C-reactive protein (>115), positive blood cultures, radiographic cord compression, and significant neurological deficits (e.g., 19?45%). Results:: Recognizing these risk factors should prompt early open surgery (<24 h from the onset of a neurological deficit). Open surgery better defines the correct/multiple organisms present, and immediately provides adequate/thorough neurological decompression (with fusion if unstable). Although minimally invasive surgery may suffice in select cases, too often it provides insufficient biopsy/culture/irrigation/decompression. Most critically, nonsurgical options result in unacceptably high failure rates (e.g., 41-42.5-75% requiring delayed surgery), while risking permanent paralysis (up to 22%), and death (up to 25%). Conclusion:: As spine surgeons, we need to ?take back decision-making? from our medical cohorts and advocate for early surgery to achieve better outcomes for our patients. Why should anyone accept the >41-42.5 to up to the 75% failure rate that accompanies the nonsurgical treatment of SEA, much less the >25% mortality rate?