Combined endoscopic and microsurgical approach for the drainage of amultisegmental thoracolumbar epidural abscess: illustrative case

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare but serious infectious disease that can rapidly develop into a life-threatening condition. Therefore, the appropriate treatment is indispensable. Although conservative treatment is justifiable in certain cases, surgical treatment needs to be considered as an alternative early on because of complications such as (progressive) neurological deficits or sepsis.

However, traditional surgical techniques usually include destructive approaches up to (multilevel) laminectomies. Such excessive approaches do have biomechanical effects potentially affecting the long-term outcomes.

Therefore, minimally invasive approaches have been described as alternative strategies, including endoscopic approaches.

Full citation: Hagel, V., Dymel, F., Werle, S., Barrera, V., & Farshad, M. (2023). Combined endoscopic and microsurgical approach for the drainage of a multisegmental thoracolumbar epidural abscess: Illustrative case. Journal of Neurosurgery. https://doi.org/10.3171/CASE23230