Multiple spinal epidural abscesses: a diagnostic challenge in a person with newly diagnosed diabetes and neck and back pain

Epidural abscess is a rare medical emergency that requires a high index of suspicion in order to reach a timely diagnosis. It is more frequent in people with diabetes and, as the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is due to double over the next 20 years, physicians are likely to encounter it more often. We report a case of a man with newly presenting diabetes who attended the Accident & Emergency Department with severe hyperglycaemia and neck and back pain, and who was found to have multiple spinal abscesses. The diagnosis was not confirmed until six days after admission. This case highlights the need for increased awareness of the possibility of this serious condition. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons.