Psoriasis vulgaris of the skin caused a L3-L4 lumbar epidural spinal abscess

Abstract

Background: In a 31-year-old male, psoriasis vulgaris (PV) of the skin caused paraparesis attributed to a L3-L4 epidural spinal abscess that required emergent surgical decompression. Case Description: A 31-year-old male presented with lower back pain and cauda equina compression attributed to a magnetic resonance-documented L34 enhancing lesion consistent with a spinal epidural abscess (SEA). The skin over the L3-L4 level revealed severe PV that proved to be the likely etiology of the right-sided paraspinal muscle abscess, infected right L3-L4 facet joint, and SEA. At surgery, the foci of infection were excised/decompressed, and cultures grew methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. Following surgery, the patient was improved and was treated with appropriate antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: PV caused a L3-L4 epidural spinal abscess and cauda equina compression in a 31-year-old male who was successfully treated with operative decompression and appropriate antibiotic management.