Spinal extradural abscess: pursuit of vigilance.

A case of delayed extradural abscess and quadriplegia after extradural steroids is presented. Nine other cases of extradural abscess from the literature are reviewed to illustrate the influence of continuity of hospital admission and informed surveillance on successful outcome when extradural infection arises after extradural medication. A Medic-Alert system is proposed as a means of improving vigilance and neurological outcome for patients at risk. Careful study of the cost-effectiveness of such a scheme is recommended.