Empirical therapy for spinal epidural abscess in adults

In adults with spinal epidural abscess, take blood for culture before starting antibiotic therapy.

Empirical antibiotic regimens are included in these guidelines for:

• Adults with spinal epidural abscess who have had a recent spinal procedure or have implanted spinal prosthetic material
• all other adults (ie do not have implanted spinal prosthetic material or have not had a recent spinal procedure) – see Standard regimen for spinal epidural abscess in adults.