Spinal epidural abscess from group A Streptococcus after varicella infection: a case report and review of the literature

Childs Nerv Syst. 2014 Dec;30(12):2129-33. doi: 10.1007/s00381-014-2479-3. Epub 2014 Jul 8.

Abstract

Introduction: Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a very rare condition in pediatric patients. Varicella zoster infection could be a predisposing factor, and SEA should be suspected in patients with signs of secondary bacterial infection and even mild neurological signs.

Clinical case: We describe here a case of a 30-month-old girl with a history of remitting varicella infection, diagnosed for a lumbar epidural abscess and sacro-ileitis, secondary to group A Streptococcus (GAS).

Discussion: This is the third case of SEA from GAS reported in the literature in a pediatric population with varicella infection. We discuss here the clinical presentation and the diagnostic challenges for SEA in childhood through a review of the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chickenpox / diagnosis*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epidural Abscess / diagnosis*
  • Epidural Abscess / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis*
  • Opportunistic Infections / surgery
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnosis
  • Osteomyelitis / surgery
  • Sacroiliitis / diagnosis
  • Sacroiliitis / surgery
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Streptococcal Infections / surgery
  • Streptococcus pyogenes*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents