Proteus mirabilis abscess involving the entire neural axis.

•Intramedullary spinal cord abscesses are rare and potentially devastating lesions.•They may be due to a host of infective processes.•A 2-year-old girl was referred to our institution with a history of recurrent bacterial meningitis.•A small dimple over the lumbosacral area was associated with an infected dermal sinus.•MRI showed hydrocephalus and infection throughout the neuroaxis.•The sinus was excised and the pus drained resulting in complete recovery.