Thorpe Eric J, McCallin John P, Miller Sidney F
Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Center for Burn Care, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
J Burn Care Res. 2008 Jul-Aug;29(4):660-2. doi: 10.1097/BCR.0b013e31817db878.
A case of a patient with acute onset of quadriplegia from a cervical epidural abscess referred to our tertiary burn center is presented. The pattern of the patient's 'burns' suggested pressure necrosis. A literature review was undertaken of this unusual condition, its evaluation and management. Cervical epidural abscesses are rare and present in a variety of ways. Acute onset of quadriplegia without a history of trauma should trigger a workup to make the diagnosis. The management of complicating skin lesions or burns and the patient outcome will primarily be determined by the management of the epidural abscess.
