skip to main content

Epidural abscess — FRCA Final MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardRegional AnaesthesiaEpidural abscessFRCA Final

A 59-year-old woman has a thoracic epidural for open hepatectomy. On the second postoperative day she has fever, increasing back pain and patchy leg weakness. The epidural site is tender and white cell count is 18 x 10^9/L. What is the most likely cause of the complication?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Epidural abscess causing evolving cord compression

Fever, focal back pain, local tenderness and neurological deficit after epidural catheterisation suggest epidural abscess with cord compression. Expected epidural motor block should not cause fever or progressive focal tenderness. Benign backache lacks systemic features and weakness. Urgent imaging, microbiology, antibiotics and neurosurgical review are required.

Reference: Association of Anaesthetists neuraxial infection guidance; RCoA Final FRCA Syllabus 2026