Spinal Cord Abscess
Alternate Names : Abscess - Spinal Cord
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Spinal Cord Abscess Treatment
The goals of treatment are to relieve spinal cord compression and cure the infection.
Urgent surgical decompression (by laminectomy, cutting through the bones of the spine) is sometimes recommended, depending on the condition of the patient. This procedure involves draining of the abscess. It occasionally is not possible to completely drain the abscess.
Antimicrobial medications are prescribed. Broad-spectrum antimicrobials or a combination of antibiotics are the most commonly used antimicrobials. Antimicrobial medications may be adjusted after a culture of pus determines the specific microorganism causing the infection.
Corticosteroids may occasionally be prescribed to reduce swelling and compression of the spinal cord.
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