[Six cases of epidural abscess probably caused by epidural block and examination by gadolinium-MRI imaging].

We treated six cases of epidural abscess caused probably by epidural block. Three patients were given only chemotherapy and the other three underwent surgical treatment. Four patients were cured completely, but bilateral paresis in the lower limbs persisted in two patients. The symptoms at onset, laboratory findings, imaging findings including MRI and CT, treatment methods and prognosis were reported. Accelerated blood sedimentation rate, positive CRP results and abnormal findings at the site of the catheter insertion appeared to be important initial signs for the early discovery of epidural abscesses. The route of infection, selection of treatment methods, methods of prevention and examination by Gadolinium-MRI imaging were also discussed.