Abstract

VIEIRA, Catarina; BORGES, Ana Catarina; CORREIA, Cátia  and  REIS, Isabel. Epidural abscess: an unusual cause of postpartum fever. Acta Obstet Ginecol Port [online]. 2021, vol.15, n.1, pp.61-64.  Epub Mar 31, 2021. ISSN 1646-5830.

Epidural analgesia is frequently used for labour analgesia, and major complications are rare.

This article illustrates a case of a healthy woman submitted to a caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia, which developed postpartum fever, worsening abdominal and lumbar pain and neurologic deficits. Lumbar magnetic resonance confirmed the epidural abscess with spinal compression, demanding urgent laminectomy and surgical drainage , along with prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Epidural abscess, although a rare complication, can have an important impact on neurologic integrity. The clinical manifestations are unspecific, and timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent permanent neurologic damage and death.

Keywords : Epidural abscess; Postpartum period; Fever..

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