Empirical therapy for spinal epidural abscess in children

Spinal epidural abscess is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus in children and empirical therapy with activity against S. aureus is appropriate in the majority of circumstancesHouston, 2019.

For children at increased risk of infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or gram-negative organisms (eg children with penetrating trauma, immunosuppression, who inject drugs), modified therapy is required.

For children who have postprocedural spinal epidural abscess or implanted spinal prosthetic material, seek expert advice.

For all other children, see Spinal epidural abscess in children who are not at increased risk of infection with MRSA or gram-negative organisms.