Septic Emboli with an epidural abscess

Septic emboli (SPE) is a rare disorder that is associated with bone infections, infective endocarditis, sinusitis, orbital cellulitis, femoral thrombophlebitis, urinary tract infections, central venous catheter infections, prosthetic cardiac valve infections and pacemaker infections. Some of the causative organisms include Klebsiella. pneumonia, viridans streptococci staphylococcal aureus . Some of the predisposing factors include of SPE include diabetes mellitus,intravenous drug use. These patients with suspected septic emboli should best be empirically treated with antibiotics such as vancomycin. We present a 56 year old man with septic emboli with methicillin resistant staphylococcal aureus bacteremia and was started on IV vancomycin with clinical improvement. His MRI of his lower back revealed an epidural abscess. We discuss a case of septic emboli with associated epidural abscess. Epidural abscess is a rare condition that can result in permanent neurological deficits. We discuss the diagnosis,associated risk factors and treatment of septic emboli and epidural abscess.