MRI detection of epidural spinal abscesses at noncontiguous sites.

We report the cases of two patients with the very uncommon clinical finding of two noncontiguous spinal epidural abscesses, which were located in the cervical and lumbar spine. In each case the diagnosis of the second spinal abscess was made by MRI only after the appearance of a new neurological deficit. Decompressive spinal surgery and intravenous antibiotic therapy led to complete recovery in one patient; the other patient was moderately disabled. As epidural spinal abscesses can occur at noncontiguous sites, MRI of the entire spine may be necessary in selected cases.