Het belang van vroegtijdige diagnose van een spinaal epiduraal abces: een casus

Diagnosing a spinal epidural abscess: a case report A spinal epidural abscess (SEA) classically presents as a triad of lower back pain, fever and neurological deterioration. Despite the low incidence (0.2/10,000 patients), early recognition can prevent severe complications, such as paralysis or death. The case of a 50-year-old woman with diffuse pain (including acute lower back pain), a subfebrile temperature and initially no neurological deficits is described. This case demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis. Further attention is paid to the link between a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and extreme back pain. An MRI confirms the diagnosis. It is important to stay alert in patients with acute lower back pain, also in case of a history of chronic pain or fibromyalgia.