Spinal epidural abscesses are rare and warrant fast intervention

A spinal epidural abscess is a rare infectious disease that warrants urgent treatment. Symptoms involve a classic triad of fever, backache and neurological deficits but all the symptoms are rarely seen at the first contact. The low incidence and the non-specific symptoms can delay the diagnosis, resulting in grave neurological sequelae and death. Common risk factors are diabetes mellitus and intravenous drug abuse. Successful treatment relies on a multidisciplinary approach. We describe a case of spinal epidural abscesses in a previously healthy young man without known risk factors.