Kotheeranurak V, Jitpakdee K, Singhatanadgige W, Limthongkul W, Yingsakmongkol W, Kim JS. Anterior transcorporeal full-endoscopic drainage of a long-span ventral cervical epidural abscess: A novel surgical technique.
NORTH AMERICAN SPINE SOCIETY JOURNAL 2021;
5:100052. [PMID:
35141618 PMCID:
PMC8820016 DOI:
10.1016/j.xnsj.2021.100052]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
A long-span ventral cervical epidural abscess is a rare and devastating condition. Typically, extensive procedures are chosen to deal with this condition and usually end up with limited cervical motion. Here, we describe a novel minimally invasive anterior full-endoscopic transcorporeal approach for drainage of large ventral cervical epidural abscess.
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 33-year-old man presented with seizures and acute weakness in all extremities persistent for 2 hours. His motor power of the upper and lower extremities was rapidly declined from grade III to grade 0 within 12 hours. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a long-span ventral epidural abscess extending from C2 to T1, cervical spinal cord, and a retropharyngeal abscess. A typical anterior cervical approach to the prevertebral space was performed to evacuate pus from the retropharyngeal abscess, after which anterior transcorporeal full-endoscopic drainage of the large ventral cervical epidural abscess was successfully performed.
OUTCOME
The patient's motor power recovered to grade IV within 2 weeks post-operation. He had no neck pain or instability following the operation. Postoperative MRI and computed tomography revealed diminished epidural abscess.
CONCLUSIONS
For managing cases with a ventral-type cervical epidural abscess, anterior transcorporeal full-endoscopic drainage is an alternative minimally invasive method that yields sufficient debridement and drainage.
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