What Researchers Did
This case report describes the challenging diagnosis and multimodal treatment of a 51-year-old man with a rare ventral cervical epidural abscess that initially mimicked a stroke.
What They Found
Researchers found that a 51-year-old man with a ventral cervical epidural abscess, complicated by MRSA infection, presented with symptoms initially mistaken for a stroke. Despite flaccid quadriplegia, his motor function improved to partial antigravity strength after urgent surgery, 6 weeks of antibiotics, and adjunctive therapies including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. He still required a wheelchair at discharge.
Canadian Relevance
The study authors are not Canadian. Epidural abscess is not a Health Canada-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings from this study may not be generalizable to a broader patient population.