Spinal epidural abscess due to coinfection of bacteria and tuberculosis: A case report

Figure 1 Initial spinal magnetic resonance imaging. A: Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sagittal image shows an epidural abscess with spondylitis at the lumbosacral (L5-S1) segment; B: Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted axial image shows a significant amount of abscess in the spinal canal.

Figure 2 Follow-up spinal magnetic resonance imaging before second surgery. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sagittal image and an axial image show recurrence of the epidural abscess with spondylitis at the lumbosacral (L5-S1) segment. A: Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sagittal image; B: Axial image.

Figure 3  Histopathological examination revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation with central necrosis (thick arrow) and multinucleated giant cells (thin arrow) (hematoxylin and eosin stain, magnification × 100).

Figure 4 Follow-up spinal computed tomography and simple X-ray images after second surgery. A: 1-wk postoperative spinal computed tomography shows bony erosion and autologous bone graft harvested from iliac crest (thick arrow); B: 1-wk postoperative simple X-rays; C: 3-year postoperative simple X-rays; D: 10-year postoperative simple X-rays. Ten-year postoperative simple X-ray revealed fracture of rod (thin arrow).