Around the WORLD backward An algorithm for scoring the MMSE WORLD item

ease, explaining the high frequency of epidural abscess. This finding is supported by other investigator^.^,^ In a series of 12 patients studied by Yuen et al.,l there were no cases of infection. Our patient was not immunosuppressed; skin contamination may be the source of the epidural infection. Extension of the abscess to the paraspinous muscles is rare; Mampalam et al. reported two such patients6 Because of the risk of rapid neurological deterioration and paralysis, the standard therapy for acute spinal epidural infections has included urgent laminectomy for decompression and drainage.? However, in patients with medical contraindications to surgery, nonsurgical treatment may be beneficial as was in our patient. We did not consider surgery for our patient because of the extension of the purulent material into the paraspinous muscles.