Pus collection in the epidural space
Usually haemotogenous seeding
Very rare
- 37 / 1 000 000 patients with LBP
- 1 /10 000 admissions
- most common in old men
Average age 68 years
3/4 males
Rare in paediatrics
Complete Lesion
- bulbocavernosus reflex present
- no cord function below lesion
- very poor prognosis for recovery
Incomplete Lesion
- bulbocavernosus reflex present
- some cord function below lesion
- good prognosis for recovery
Vertebral Canal narrowest at T8/9
- Also area of vascular watershed
Compression of some or all of the nerve roots in the cauda equina
- bladder dysfunction
- bowel dysfunction
- saddle anaesthesia
- variable motor and sensory loss
HNP
- most common
Epidural haematoma
- post surgical
- spinals and anticoagulation