Volume 72 Number 6 November 2005	back to contents

1Department of Neurosurgery and Division of Hyperbaric Medicine and 22nd Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan; 3Department of Surgery, Ken-Ai Memorial Hospital, Onga-cho, Japan; and 4Department of Internal Medicine, Tobata Kyoritsu Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan.

Address all correspondence to Kiyotaka Kohshi, M.D., Department of Neurosurgery and Division of Hyperbaric Medicine, University Hospital of Occupational and Environmental Health, Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan; e-mail: k-kohshi@clnc.uoeh-u.ac.jp

Accepted for publication June 2004.

ABSTRACT

A 49-year-old man underwent hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy for the treatment of primary spinal epidural abscess. Although the epidural abscess was initially treated with antibiotic (cefozopran) for 5 days, he subsequently developed motor weakness, paresthesia and urinary retention. MRI demonstrated spinal cord compression at the C1–C4 level. HBO therapy was added to the antibiotic regimen, and three days later we found clinical evidence of a response to treatment. Neurological symptoms were relieved 13 days after HBO therapy. This case suggests that HBO therapy is an effective therapeutic adjunct for the treatment of spinal epidural abscess.

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