A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-positive holospinal epidural abscess.

Spinal epidural abscess is a rare debilitating disease that if left untreated may result in serious morbidity and mortality. Most cases involve the level of 3 or 4 vertebrae, but in very rare cases may affect the whole spine. The most common pathogen found in spinal abscesses is Staphylococcus aureus, which involves approximately two thirds of cases. The recent introduction of methicillin-resistant strains of S aureus has left physicians with the challenging task of identifying and treating this serious condition.We present the only case reported of a methicillin-resistant S aureus holospinal epidural abscess with subsequent neurological follow-up over a 1-year period.