There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.
From the Research
Antibiotic Treatment for Paraspinous Abscess
- The appropriate antibiotic treatment for a paraspinous abscess is typically a broad-spectrum antibiotic, as reported in the study 1.
- The study 1 used 2-g broad spectrum antibiotic injected through a needle to eradicate the bacteria locally after evacuation of the abscess.
- Another study 2 found that the optimal duration of antibiotic treatment for spinal epidural abscess has not been established, but 4-8 weeks is generally advised.
- However, the same study 2 suggested that a longer duration of antibiotic treatment (>8 weeks) may be required for spinal epidural abscess accompanied by bacteremia.
- A study 3 compared medical and surgical management of spinal epidural abscess and found that prolonged use of parenteral antibiotics alone or combined with percutaneous needle drainage yielded clinical outcomes at least comparable with antibiotics plus surgical intervention.
- The study 4 reported a case of paraspinal abscess formation from Haemophilus paraphrophilus, which was treated with prolonged antibiotic treatment and was curative.
Factors Affecting Antibiotic Treatment
- The presence of bacteremia may require a longer duration of antibiotic treatment, as reported in the study 2.
- Concomitant infections may also affect the duration of antibiotic treatment, as reported in the study 2.
- The size and location of the abscess may also influence the choice of antibiotic treatment, as reported in the study 1.
Treatment Approaches
- Surgical intervention, such as open surgery or endoscopic debridement, may be necessary to remove and drain the abscess, in addition to chemotherapy, as reported in the study 1.
- Percutaneous needle aspiration drainage may be used in combination with antibiotic treatment, as reported in the study 5 and 3.
- Closed system paravertebral abscess evacuation, as reported in the study 1, is a micro-invasive procedure that results in minimal soft tissue injury and faster recovery.