Symptoms:

Spinal epidural abscess:

• Fever and back pain
• Bowel or bladder incontinence
• Difficulty urinating (urinary retention)

Intracranial epidural abscess:

• Headache
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain at the site of recent surgery that gets worse (especially if fever is present)

Neurological symptoms depend on the location of the abscess and may include:

• Weakness
• Paralysis
• Decreased ability to move any part of the body
• Loss of sensation in any area of the body or abnormal changes in sensation

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and a neurological exam to look for a loss of functions such as movement or sensation.

Tests such as CT (cat scan) or MRI are frequently needed to confirm the presence of an epidural abscess.

To determine what is causing the infection, a sample of the abscess is usually necessary.